Nigerian journalists have been urged to create collective efforts that could lead to positive change while telling the climate change story thereby giving hope to affected victims.
This statement was made by an Award-winning Cinematographer/ Director, Samson Simpa, during an Africa Community Hangout.
The event which was geared towards enhancing climate journalism in Africa was tagged: “Telling the climate story visually.”
Vivian Chime, African Journalism Manager with Climate Tracker, moderated the discussion.
Samson stated that climate change was a complex problem that requires innovative approaches to narrating the story effectively.
His words: “Telling the climate story visually is not just about documenting the problems but also about offering solutions and hope. It’s about mobilising communities, governments, and individuals to address this global crisis. Through immersive storytelling and the power of voices, we have the opportunity to create a collective consciousness that leads to positive change.”
He explained that climate change was not just a scientific or environmental issue, but a human issue which must have an attribute of immersion and authenticity.
He also stated the issue connects with the values of the audience, such as justice, compassion, security, and freedom. Hence, there was a need to use stories that spark empathy and relevance.
He said: “Climate change is a complex problem that requires immediate action. We allow the audience to experience the impact of the story. It entails spending some time in the affected environments and communities to help understand the nuances of their experiences.
“It affects people from all walks of life, and stories are essential in understanding the multifaceted nature of the crisis. The diversity not only enriches our narratives but also underscores the fact that climate change is a shared global challenge that demands collective action.”
Samson further added that filming climate change requires creativity, which entails using visual power to transcend language barriers, cultural differences, and political divides. It was also important to back it up with accurate information and avoid exaggeration and misinformation that can undermine your credibility.
An award-winning Cameroonian multimedia journalist, Eyong Blaise who spoke on: “How to pitch and execute a visual climate change story,” stated that in pitching a good story one must ensure that his or her story idea is appealing to a wider audience and highlights the extremely important things.
He emphasised the need to keep stories accurate and realistic to achieve rather than exaggerate them. He suggested that while pitching a climate story, a journalist must consider if the story was relevant at that time.
“When you are pitching a story, it is better to film someone who is directly affected by the impacts or effects of climate change because in every story it has to do with human beings. Sometimes, the age and location of the victim is important which helps to tell the story effectively,” he said.
Blaise added that a journalist cannot tell a climate change story without proper B-rolls as interviews were not enough.
He explained that B-rolls are actions, and most times the viewers would understand the story when they see the action better than what is been said.
He noted: “When you’re going out to shoot a climate change story, have a visual plan, think about the B-rolls you’re intending to film and have varieties of actions that show the problem, the consequences and probably the solution.”
Ayo Sogbuyi is a seasoned journalist with over 30 years of experience, he is a passionate advocate for press freedom and ethical reporting. Throughout his career, he has covered significant global events and championed the role of journalism in holding power to account.