Lessons learned: Engaging African media on climate change and adaptation
Abstract
Media are an important link in research communication. Projects in Benin, Burkina Faso, Kenya, Madagascar, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, and Tanzania have used outreach to local media to make climate change and variability issues more accessible to decision-makers and local communities. Some CCAA partners have enjoyed a higher national profile and increased attention from policymakers partly from being in the media spotlight. Lessons to date are:
- Media outreach demands relationship-building and mutual trust
-Journalists value credible information and access to research sites and events
-Providing local angles on international events and issues can be a compelling hook
-Researchers need to share their stories in ways that seem newsworthy.
Citation
Climate Change Adaptation in Africa Program, 2008–09 Year in Review, 2 pp.
Links