Founded in 2022 and led by a group of engaged young Japanese in their 20s and 30s, Media is Hope has already grown to more than 50 members from civil society with a mission to promote social change for larger climate action by disseminating accurate climate information, monitoring media coverage on climate change, and building bridges with media and sponsoring organizations.
Media is Hope actively supports the United Nations campaign, “Promise of 1.5°C: Act Now to Stop Global Warming" that has engaged close to 150 SDG Media Compact members in Japan.
"I am very happy to see such passionate solidarity from citizens for this initiative. I hope that this interest will not fade away as a one-time action but will become a larger movement that will change society for the better by confronting and overcoming essential issues," said Kaoru Nemoto, Director of the UN Information Centre in Tokyo, who spoke at a press conference by Media is Hope in October 2022. The press conference at the Japan National Press Club was supported by the United Nations and included representatives of a wide range of media organizations as speakers to share their journeys with the “Promise of 1.5℃” campaign.
"Many people are joining today,” said Ms. Yuka Natori, a social worker and Director of Media is Hope, “which is proof that we are all serious in our efforts to solve the climate crisis. That is exactly our ‘hope,’ and we look forward to continue working hand in hand."
The “Promise of 1.5°C” campaign leverages the network of the SDG Media Compact, a framework for cooperation between the United Nations and media companies from around the world to promote efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
Ms. Nemoto said the “Promise of 1.5°C” campaign was the first time that such a large number of media companies had teamed up at the country level for a shared objective under the framework of the SDG Media Compact.
The conference was held by Media is Hope to show its solidarity and support for the “Promise of 1.5°C” campaign. They have also been assessing and providing feedback to climate-related programmes and articles to encourage journalists to cover the topic and have helped empower journalists through lectures by climate experts.
Challenges of reporting on climate change
At the conference led by Media is Hope, media representatives who participated in the “Promise of 1.5℃” campaign outlined some of the challenges they face when reporting on climate change. News and content on climate change don’t always increase ratings, audiences or sponsorships. Climate journalists often are in a minority and must start by gaining their colleagues’ trust. And some struggle to provide balanced, high-quality reporting to viewers and readers who often seek entertainment.
Speakers also offered tips on how they have overcome these challenges. Many of them spoke of the importance of communicating not only the crisis, but also the solutions and the personal stories of climate activists, from a first-person point of view.
Mr. Yutaka Yamaguchi, an anchor of a key TV broadcaster who has produced numerous programmes on renewable energy said, "I sometimes feel lonely covering the climate change issue, but I was encouraged today by the relationships and connections between the media, sponsors and audiences."
