LENSA IKLIM
Introduction
In March 2022, Klima Action Malaysia (KAMY) with the support of the European Climate Foundation (ECF), launched Lensa Iklim, a climate journalism program in Peninsula Malaysia that aims to upskill and empower Malaysian journalists and mainstream news media to improve climate change and energy transition reporting.
The Problems and Challenges We See in Climate Journalism in Peninsula Malaysia
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Lack of in-depth climate and energy transition reporting in Peninsula Malaysia.
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Climate journalism in Peninsula Malaysia is under-reported and has an event/disaster based reporting trend.
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Lack of data, crucial information, and experts for accurate and unbiased climate and energy transition reporting.
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Journalists face a lack of time, funding, and language barrier to properly understand and decipher climate and energy science, governmental policies, international reports, and other related technicalities due to its complicated nature.
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Lack of initiative from news media to accelerate climate and energy transition stories.
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Lack of interest and traction from readers on climate or energy news due to the repetitive and one-sided nature of the news.
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Lack of intersectionality between climate and energy transition news, as they are predominantly framed by finance and lack the human lens.
How Lensa Iklim Aims to Address the Problems and Challenges
Lensa Iklim was formed to aid journalists in Peninsula Malaysia to gain a deeper understanding for climate change and energy transition reporting. In doing so, this will benefit the journalism field and Malaysian citizens in attaining quality and relevant climate information from mainstream media.
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Increase the capacity of journalists, in the news media and newsroom sector, in Peninsular Malaysia on climate crises specific to the energy sector and "Just Transition"
Since the inception of the programme in 2022, we have done:
1. Capacity building for journalists for climate and energy transition via 6 workshops.
“Capacity building for journalists for climate and energy transition via workshops” aims to equip Peninsular Malaysian journalists with important topics in the subject of climate and energy transition, such as climate policies and governance, the IPCC report, and COP UNFCCC processes.
2. Mentorship for the publication of climate-energy stories.
“Mentorship for the Publication of Climate-Energy Stories”, aims to increase the frequency of in-depth climate and energy transition stories in Peninsula Malaysia while also providing funding and mentorship. These publications will be mentored by key experts, who will provide their experiences in climate and energy reporting to Lensa Iklim journalists.
3. Publication of a report for the research of “Climate-Energy Transition Media Reporting in Peninsular Malaysia.”
“Publication of a report for the research of “Climate-Energy Transition Media Reporting in Peninsular Malaysia”, aims to analyse the challenges faced by journalists and newsrooms reporting on climate-energy stories.
4. Developing a climate resource hub.
“Developing a climate resource hub” aims to provide a solution for journalists by creating a climate and energy glossary, a crash course for governmental policies and international reports, providing journalists with a diverse list of experts and many more valuable resources.
Why Just Peninsula Malaysia
The main media that we are looking at are housed in Peninsula Malaysia. Furthermore, the social-cultural and political issues in East Malaysia vary drastically from that of Peninsula Malaysia, therefore, it would only be fair to provide East Malaysia with an analysis of its own with a voice that understands and focuses on these issues.
Resources from Lensa Iklim Workshops
Lensa Iklim’s series of workshops were carried out between June to August 2022 and was inspired by the PANAS project, when KAMY collaborated with the Science Media Centre.
13 Ogos 2022
Climate Journalism: Pitching for Climate and Environment
To provide journalists with valuable insights to understand the state of climate journalism locally and globally.
16 Julai 2022
Malaysia’s Climate Policy Framework and Climate Politics at UNFCCC
To provide, enlighten, and equip journalists on climate communication, climate policies and climate politics in order for them to produce environmental and climate-centric stories.
18 Jun 2022
Introduction to Climate Change
To provide an introduction for climate journalism, climate science, and the IPCC report
23 Julai 2022
Corporate Sustainability 101 And Key Market Mechanisms
To enlighten journalists on the role of the private sector in funding and providing solutions for climate change.
2 Julai 2022
Introduction to Energy and Systemic Shift Concepts
To provide an introduction on energy reporting, energy science, and energy and climate justice.
Lensa Iklim Report
Lensa Iklim’s report is an amalgamation of interviews from journalists and editors of various news media in Peninsula Malaysia and data analysis of climate change and energy transition reporting of said selected news media. The report titled as “Climate-Energy Transition Media Reporting in Peninsular Malaysia” is set to be published early next year to shine a light on climate journalism in Peninsula Malaysia in hopes of increasing advocacy, action, and results.
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Articles Published by Lensa Iklim Journalists
TBC - will contain Journalists Info and Published article info and link.
Who are the People Behind This
Programme Manager
Ili Nadiah Dzulfakar is the co-founder and chairperson of Klima Action Malaysia (KAMY). She is an advisor to the Environment of Peace initiative led by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) and also a research associate at the Institute Of Strategic & International Studies Malaysia in Water-Energy-Food nexus.
Ili Nadiah Dzulfakar
Programme Coordinator
Nur Fatihah Ahmad Fauzi is the programme coordinator for the Lensa Iklim program. She is a recent graduate of BASc in Environmental Biology from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). She is currently volunteering as a copywriter at USM LineHayat, which is a start-up that provides listening services to USM students. She is extremely passionate about climate change, writing, photography, and the importance of mental health.
Nur Fatihah Ahmad Fauzi
Finance Admin
Aishah Shapari is the Finance Admin for Lensa Iklim. She is currently in her final year of ACCA at Sunway College. She has a strong background in accounting and a passion for sports, as she is also the President of Sunway Sports Council.
Aishah Shapari
Research Lead
Sumei Toh is the lead researcher for the “Climate-Energy Transition Media Reporting in Peninsular Malaysia” report. She has a background in biology and a MSc in Environment and Development. She has an extensive background in environmental consulting and researching.
Sumei Toh
Research Intern
Kucheal Arivalagan is the research intern for the “Climate-Energy Transition Media Reporting in Peninsular Malaysia” report. She is a recent graduate in Biotechnology from Taylor’s University and has a passion for science and learning.
Kucheal Arivalagan
Website Designer
Nazira Haszar is the website designer for Lensa Iklim. She has a background in Environmental Science and is passionate about the sciences, the environment, and designing.
Nazira Haszar
Advisors
Nadiah Rosli is an experienced freelance journalist and is currently the Project Director of Internews Network, where she is working on “Suara Masyarakat”, a program aimed at utilising the Malaysian media to promote and amplify media transparency and accountability while also incorporating awareness for the youths, marginalised individuals and communities. She has a MLitt in Environment, Culture and Communication and has gained extensive experiences in environmental journalism, especially in conservation projects.
Nadiah Rosli
