Dili, June 23, 2025 (Média Democracia) – The Timor-Leste Journalists Association (AJTL), in collaboration with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), organized a workshop on enhancing climate change reporting in Timor-Leste. The workshop was held on last Friday at the HAK hall in Farol, Dili.
The President of the Timor-Leste Journalists Association (AJTL), Zevonia Viera, stated that UNESCO partnered with AJTL to strengthen journalists’ capacity to seek more in-depth information on climate change, as its impacts affect not only the environment but also vulnerable groups, especially in rural areas.
“This workshop was attended by 19 journalists from various media platforms, including radio, television, print, and online, with the aim of enhancing journalists’ skills in gathering detailed information and reporting on climate change, particularly in the context of Timor-Leste,” said AJTL President Zevonia Viera.
She further explained that, in conjunction with World Environment Day celebrated globally in June, UNESCO continues to support AJTL in empowering journalists to conduct more comprehensive reporting on climate change, especially in small island nations like Timor-Leste that are highly affected.
AJTL is committed to continuously encouraging journalists to cover climate change issues that pose risks to vulnerable groups such as women, children, persons with disabilities, and remote communities.
According to her observations, UNESCO wishes to support AJTL in increasing the number of climate change reports produced by journalists, as UNESCO’s monitoring indicates that environmental coverage in Timor-Leste remains limited.
In his remarks, trainer Herry Sujardi emphasized that climate change, with its unpredictable nature, affects many aspects of life, including people, making journalists’ role crucial in covering ongoing climate change events.
“The biggest challenge globally today is climate change, which impacts economies, societies, and many aspects of life. Therefore, through this training, I am sharing with journalists how to approach coverage, what questions to ask, and how to seek complete and critical information,” said trainer Herry Sujardi.
He added that journalists serve as guides who provide information to the public. Public trust in the media remains stronger than social media, as professional media adhere to journalistic standards and deliver accurate information.
Furthermore, the workshop encouraged the 19 participating journalists from radio, television, print, and online media to prepare a joint coverage plan focusing on the impacts of climate change, which continue to affect both the environment and people’s daily lives.
Report: Nelfiano
Photo: Nelfiano