Climate Action Group Wants Local Media Prioritize Human Interest Stories -YOJAL To Lead Developmental Reporting

An Ambassador of the Global Youth Climate Action Initiative (Climate Action Group, Liberia) is urging media institutions across Liberia and the African basin to prioritize human interest developments, issues of climate change in their various outlets to enhance the fight against destructions arising from climate change.
According to Ambassador Moses R. Quollin, an Environmental Reporter, visible signs of climate change, physical & scientific experiences, and research showed that the global community is challenged in the fight, and everyone needs to take individual action in protecting the environment.
The Development Journalist, stressing the need for African youths to increase awareness’ and a volunteer said the young generation needs to contribute to a holistic action to avoid the continuous increase in illnesses, poverty, deaths and other threats.
“It is about our survivability as nations across the world. We all have parts to play even as individual citizens…the issues of pollutions, indefensible mining, deforestations, endangered species hunting, and other counterproductive behaviors—all influenced by humans, according to experts, are responsible for the extreme weather events we are experiencing now.”
“These are resulting in constant erosions, landslides, wildfires and you name the rest…even right here, in Liberia, the agriculture, health, security and other sectors are faced with issues emanating from Global Warming or Climate Change. According to the Scientists, we are in the emergency era–these threats are visible as we speak…”
His comments were contained in an interaction held on January 19, 2020, with a group youthful media workers under a banner “Young ‘Journalist Association,” a proposed auxiliary of the Press Union of Liberia.
Appealing to heads of Liberian media entities to ensure the welfare and employment of reporters, volunteers, and contributors, Moses encouraged his fellow professional colleagues to be very proactive in their duties with more focus on environmental issues.
He also encouraged them to focus on developmental headlines as well as climate change awareness reporting; avoid the too many political stories and ‘Cato-driven’ reportage which sometimes undermine professional journalism.
“The onus is on us as young people…many of us do not get pay for the job we do as journalists except the few who are employed but underpaid. As part of the realities, it takes about 6-7 months before some employees (reporters) get their monthly salary. In the media, I have been around for a little over five years now…volunteering for free [without compensation]; a chosen career path yet to reap personal dividends. But again, we do it with passion although the ‘passion’ doesn’t provide daily bread for my family…” Amb. Moses R. Quollin, in a rather painful mode, narrated among of things.
He then affirmed Climate Action Group (CAG) support to the Young Journalists Association of Liberia whilst inspiring them to be a part of the Global Youth Climate Action Initiative to promote sustainable developments in Liberia.
Moses, also National Coordinator of the Liberia Forest Media Watch—umbrella network of investigative journalists following forestry issues within the Upper Guinea forests, disclosed that LFMW has cemented a cordial relationship with Trapenbos International (TBI) through Mr. Paul Kanneh, Abraham Billy and other great forestry advocates at VOSIEDA, implementer of the European Union Non State Actors (EU-NSA) project.
In reaction, members of the Young Journalist Association of Liberia (newly established organization) expressed appreciation to Ambassador Moses R, Quollin for his level of contribution and motivation noting he has inspired most of them in their early journeys.
The group, through its Acting Co-Chair, Lincoln G. Peters outlined deteriorating conditions including a poor working environment of young journalists, lack of support for human interest stories, climate change reporting as few of the issues triggering the formation of YOJAL.