Partnership to Strengthen Media Coverage of Conservation Issues

On February 20th, the African Media Initiative (AMI) and the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) signed a three-year partnership agreement aimed at improving, strengthening and encouraging media coverage of wildlife and environmental conservation issues on the continent.

The two organizations will secure funding and technical support for the training and facilitation of journalists and launch training programmes in different sub-regions of the continent to create a critical mass of reporters specialized in environmental reporting.

The organizations will also undertake to develop basic web applications and tools that can be used to collect information and create reports on conservation-related issues across different media platforms. This will be aimed at ensuring maximum audience reach.

Speaking during the signing of the partnership agreement, AMI CEO Eric Chinje said: “The media is just as critical a stakeholder in wildlife conservation as any other agency working in the field. With many African species facing extinction, and the negative impact of poaching on nature, the media must play its role in sensitizing the public. This project will create vital links between the media, conservation agencies and local authorities in supporting conservation efforts.”

Sector specialization by journalists will contribute to overall improvement in media content, while access to African wildlife and conservation sector experts will result in more reliable information and analyses.

AWF’s Vice President of Program Design & Government Relations, Mr. Daudi Sumba, termed this initiative critical to the organization’s role in addressing Africa’s unique conservation needs. “Our collaboration with AMI will enable us reach out to all critical stakeholders in our conservation efforts. By bringing together conservation experts, print and electronic press, as well as government and technical partners, we will enhance public knowledge of wildlife issues through the media and strengthen participation in wildlife conservation efforts.”

The project is set to provide training and technical support to over 200 journalists over its three-year pilot phase.

For more information on the project, and to arrange interviews, please contact: 

African Media Initiative (AMI): Justus Machio, Communications and Outreach Assistant Tel: +254700857024: jmachio@africanmediainitiative.org or

African Wildlife Foundation (AWF): Beatrice Karanja, Partner Relations Manager, Tel: 0735 632811 Email: bkaranja@awf.org

About AMI

AMI is an umbrella organisation that brings media owners together and seeks to find solutions to perennial problems facing the industry such as the lack of financing and solid business models, as well as difficulties in accessing the advertising market or even just good Internet connectivity. The organisation also aims to spur better journalism through various training programmes, including in data and development journalism.

About AWF

Founded in 1961, the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) is a leading conservation organization focused solely on the African continent. AWF’s programs and conservation strategies are based on sound science and designed to protect both the wild lands and wildlife of Africa and ensure a more sustainable future for Africa’s people. Since its inception, AWF has protected endangered species and land, promoted conservation enterprises that benefit local African communities, and trained hundreds of African nationals in conservation—all to ensure the survival of Africa’s unparalleled wildlife heritage. For more information, follow us on Twitter and Facebook.