Berlin, October 12, 2023
We are excited to announce that Unbias the News has been recognized with the 2023 Climate Journalism Award, which aims to acknowledge outstanding climate journalism that adopts an innovative or original storytelling approach. Unbias the News’ investigation “The Sinking Cities Project” was awarded in the category of Emerging Talent, which recognizes outstanding climate reporting produced by emerging journalists and newsrooms. In total, there were 181 eligible entries from 46 countries.
“Ambitious and well-executed, this project immediately stood out as a compelling and powerful project in the emerging talent category. [..] The Sinking Cities Project is an important example of climate journalism through a collaborative, cross-border approach with local voices and reporting, and has the potential for relevant, global impact”.
– Stella Levantesi, Climate Journalism Award Jury
The Sinking Cities Project is a global cross-border investigation that examines how sea-level rise is impacting major cities and how their governments are responding to the consequences of the climate crisis.Local journalists from six cities, Alexandria, Dhaka, Dublin, Karachi, Lagos and Rotterdam, worked together for over six months to investigate the preparedness in their cities and looked to expose not only failures but also possible innovations and solutions. During the project Unbias the News offered training, networking, and editorial support from our international team of regional editors and climate experts.
“We are incredibly gratified for this recognition of our teamwork. As the climate crises accelerates, we need all hands on deck to tell climate stories in a way that can clarify the costs of inaction, possible solutions, and the decision-makers in play. Local journalists are particularly well-placed to tell that story, and this project shows that cross-border journalism can help tell the global story from a local perspective.”
– Tina Lee, Editor-in-Chief Unbias the News
The Sinking Cities Project specifically sought to highlight the importance of local journalism in climate reporting. While there have been numerous award-winning stories done by legacy-media journalists traveling abroad to expose climate crises and disasters, Unbias the News set out to work with local journalists who have full access to the local context and necessary background to explain the bigger picture to their audience. We believe local journalists are best placed to identify actors and movements that can make changes, and to inform the public about the policies and individuals responsible for climate change preparations- or lack thereof. Unbias the News works to make sure that these stories get the attention they deserve both locally and globally, through re-publications in local media. The Sinking Cities project has been re-published in 33 outlets across the world, and is still open for re-publication.
Managing Director, Mercy Abang, said, the Climate Journalism Award of the Sinking Cities Project serves as a powerful reminder of the incredible potential that independent newsrooms can unlock when provided with essential funding and support from philanthropic organizations. “As traditional sources of newsroom financing face challenges, the vital role played by development partners who grasp the significance of community journalism and its far-reaching impact becomes even more apparent”.
The six articles show that the response to the climate crisis is a social, historical and political phenomenon. Even on a city level, money and power obscure the picture of what needs to be done to ensure safety and justice for all. To delve deeper into this topic, we invite you to read The Sinking Cities stories here. Additionally, tune in to our Behind The Scenes discussion featuring the journalists involved in this project.
Unbias the News is a cross-border newsroom by Hostwriter. We create a space for reporters who experience structural barriers in the field, working towards a more equitable and inclusive world of journalism. The Sinking Cities investigation was developed with the support of Journalismfund.eu, European Cultural Foundation and the German Postcode Lottery. We are grateful for the institutional support of the Adessium Foundation, Luminate Group and the Media Democracy Foundation which made this work possible.
Find us at:
www.unbiasthenews.org
Tina Lee, Editor in Chief, [email protected]
Mercy Abang, Managing Director, [email protected]
The Sinking Cities Project: https://unbiasthenews.org/sinking-cities/
