New report says top media fail to connect climate change, migration and food security

Top news media are failing to identify climate change as a contributor to some of the world’s biggest crises, including migration, food insecurity and conflict, says a new research report.

The report “Food, Migration and Climate Change: The Untold Story,” is funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and was presented at the 21st UNFCCC Conference of Parties (COP21) in Paris.

“The media, whether local or global, are among the world’s most influential institutions and how they shape the climate change narrative remains vitally important,” said IFAD President, Kanayo F. Nwanze, about why his organization sponsored the research. “If the world becomes aware of how climate change threatens our food security or why it is a catalyst for migration and conflict, then we can expect better support for policies and investments that can pre-empt future crises.”

The report was prepared by Sam Dubberley, a journalist and Director of Kishnish Media Ltd. The research was conducted in September and includes an analysis of eight popular and highly influential news outlets in the United Kingdom and France, including the BBC, Channel 4, TF1, The Guardian, Daily Mail, Le Monde, Libération and France 2.

Dubberley explained, “We chose to conduct our research in September so that it wouldn’t be skewed by all of the reporting we’re seeing now because of the COP21 in Paris.” 

The report looks at the depth of media reporting around climate change and whether it was being linked to issues of food security, agriculture and migration and, if so, whether those stories were given prominent placement such as on front pages.

It asked what power voices were heard throughout the stories and if farmers or migrants themselves were ever interviewed or quoted. And finally, it looks at what news readers understand about food and migration-related climate change impacts and their impression of media coverage provided.

“The research clearly shows that media analysed did not make the connection between climate change and many of the other stories dominating the news agenda at that time,” Dubberley said. “In fact, our research shows that climate change never once reached the front page of the news outlets we looked at.”

Among the reports key findings:

Climate stories were few and far between on the front pages or main television news bulletins analysed;

News consumers did not believe that major media helped them understand climate change and, in particular, that a connection exists between climate change and issues such as agricultural failure, food insecurity, conflict and migration from developing countries;

Editorial decisions made by news organizations have a direct impact on audience views and beliefs about climate change;

News consumers believe climate change-related impacts need to be taken more seriously by news organizations and given higher prominence;

Those on the front lines directly impacted by climate change rarely have a voice or are mentioned in stories.

With over three-quarters of the world’s poorest people living in the rural areas of developing countries, Nwanze emphasized that, small-scale farmers are always impacted by the latest global crises – whether it be violence and conflict, the rise of extremism or climate change. 

“It’s clear - if we don’t recognize the signs earlier, if we don’t make those crucial links then poverty, migration, hunger and conflict will continue to make headlines,” he said.