JOHANNESBURG, South Africa: This year’s World Press Freedom Day theme is “journalism in the face of the environmental crisis,” and a South African media outlet called Oxpeckers focuses on exactly that. The journalists talk about what drives and challenges them as they report on people and practices that hurt the planet.
This year’s World Press Freedom Day, which focuses on the crucial role journalism plays in tackling the environmental crisis, finds a strong champion in Oxpeckers, a South African media outlet dedicated entirely to environmental investigative journalism.
Oxpeckers stands out as Africa’s first investigative unit solely focused on environmental issues. Their journalists go beyond traditional reporting, utilizing data analysis and geo-mapping tools to expose environmental crimes and track the networks behind them. This unique approach allows them to uncover the hidden threads of environmental destruction, from illegal wildlife poaching to the detrimental practices of certain industries.
Oxpeckers interviews shed light on the motivations and challenges that drive these individuals as they delve into exposing practices that harm our planet. Understanding what compels them and the obstacles they face provides valuable insight into the vital work they do in holding those accountable for environmental damage.
