Boosting Climate Reporting in Poland Through Editorial Literacy

In order to address the urgent need for climate literacy and combating disinformation, the Climate&Strategy Foundation is running a training project for the leading Polish media professionals.

It is focused on newsroom and investigative journalists and tailored to the Polish and European contexts.

This project addresses a critical gap in Polish journalism, where a lack of climate knowledge has weakened public discourse on essential issues. By improving the skills and understanding of journalists, it aims to enhance the quality of investigative environmental journalism, promoting accountability and informed discussions around European climate policies.  

The project includes three phases:

• Needs assessment: in-depth interviews with journalists and editors to identify specific challenges and knowledge gaps.
• Training programmes: comprehensive training tailored for national media, covering the impacts of climate change on various sectors and effective communication strategies.
• Resource repository: creating an accessible online resource hub featuring educational materials, key recommendations, and expert insights.  

1. NEEDS ASSESSMENT

For now, a total of 6 comprehensive interviews with a diverse group of experts and professionals within the media and journalistic sector were conducted, to gain a greater understanding of the needs and obstacles encountered by national newsrooms and investigative departments. Insights these interviews will inform the design of training activities.

• Dr. hab. Jacek Wasilewski - Academic and media expert specialising in multimedia journalistic narratives and rhetoric, with significant contributions to the field of journalism education. 

• Patryk Strzałkowski - Environmental journalist with notable achievements, including the Fridays for Climate series and recognition for his contributions to climate reporting. Writes regularly for gazeta.pl.

• Barbara Rogala - Former climate journalist and current spokesperson for the Climate Coalition, with a strong background in philosophy and eco-critical studies.

• Andrzej Chojnowski - Editor and journalist with experience in managing and curating content for diverse platforms, including the "Rzeczpospolita" daily.

• Anna Marucha - Head of PR, Communication and Social Media Department, Eurozet Group (Radio ZET)

• Paweł Majcher - an accomplished journalist and publicist. He served as Vice President of Polish Radio (2009–2012) and later as its President in 2023. In addition, he has experience in governmental communication.

2. TRAINING PROGRAMME

For the purposes of this project, the Climate&Strategy Foundation set up a partnerships with Radio ZET (the second largest private radio station in Poland) and Polskie Radio (the largest public radio station in Poland), and trained 15 journalists representing each media partner. There were two rounds of four 45-minute meetings, totalling eight sessions per media partner. This format aligns with the specific work dynamics of the newsrooms.

The training was met with enthusiasm, over 50 journalists from the two largest private and public radio stations in Poland participated in the last session.

Trainings topics and key speakers:

• Climate and everyday life

Dr. Joanna Remiszewska-Michalak is an atmospheric physicist and a recognised climate change expert within the consulting industry. Her work focuses on translating complex climate science into actionable insights for broader audiences, making her expertise crucial for conveying the real-world impact of climate change.

• Effective climate narratives

Dr Marcin Napiórkowski is a doctor of humanities with an extensive experience in the field of narrative studies. He has made significant contributions to understanding the role of cultural narratives in shaping public perception of climate issues. His research explores the dichotomy of climate communication at the European level, focusing on creating compelling and effective climate narratives that resonate with diverse audiences.

• Climate fact-checking

Kinga Klich has been working on disinformation issues since 2018 and currently coordinates projects countering misinformation in social media. As a key figure at the Demagog Association - the first Polish fact-checking organization - Klich has led efforts to verify politicians' statements, check election promises, and fight fake news across various platforms.

• Climate and business

Łukasz Dobrowolski is a seasoned professional in the energy sector, with a decade of experience as an investor and entrepreneur in the renewable energy industry. He was co-owner and Managing Director at Luneos, a company specialising in energy efficiency and renewable projects. Currently, he is the President of EFFI Decarbonization, where he supports companies in implementing decarbonisation projects. 

Each media partner undergoes one complete training cycle, delivered as "Four weeks with climate".

3. ONLINE REPOSITORY

As of December, educational materials for journalists (lecture recordings, educational materials, key recommendations, lists of reliable experts, suggestions for tools, databases and resources) will be accessible in a virtual space.

Access to the repository will be free of charge after a registration and logging in. Information about the repository will be sent not only to the project's media partners, but also to other editorial offices, so that as many Polish journalists as possible can benefit from this knowledge.