27 | Challenges and opportunities for environmental reporting

It is true that a picture is worth a thousand words. When images refer to the beauty of Nature, they trigger in those who see them feelings of admiration and happiness that inspire and captivate. Their opposite is equally true: when images depict the degradation and loss of Nature it is almost possible to assume that they trigger feelings, but rather feelings of revolt, sadness, and even impotence.

Encompassing these two extremes, however, focusing on information and clarification, and leaving feelings for a side effect, are the reports. More or less long, with one or several pieces, live or pre-recorded, reports have a unique potential to not only portray reality, but also to inform and reinforce its message through the power of image.

The Portuguese generalist television channels present the environment in their schedules under different periodicities and formats, such as reports, magazines, documentaries, among others, with some programs occupying a prominent place because of the period in which they have been shown and the tradition they have generated.

What will be the feedback from the Portuguese towards these information formats? What particular challenges do journalists face when preparing a piece on the environment? What can stimulate more reporting and field visits?

In the fifth and last roundtable of the Environmental Journalism Week, Friday, May 27, we will explore the "Challenges and opportunities for environmental reporting" with recognized professionals with extensive experience. It is with this theme that we will close the program of this first edition.