Guwahati, Mar 23: Assam Revenue, Science & Technology, and Climate Change Minister Keshab Mahanta emphasized the vital role of the media in tackling climate change challenges during a workshop on ‘Climate Change and the Role of the Media’.
The event, organized by the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) in collaboration with the Department of Mass Media and Journalism at Gauhati University, was held at a city hotel in Guwahati on Sunday.
Mahanta highlighted that climate change, exacerbated by pollution from the Industrial Revolution, has led to rising global temperatures, with research indicating a 1°C increase from 1901 to 2020. He warned that climate-induced disasters are escalating, making public awareness crucial in mitigating risks.
“The media plays a decisive role in shaping public opinion, influencing policy decisions, and ensuring accurate information reaches people. Given the complexity of climate science, journalists must present these issues engagingly and understandably to drive meaningful action,” Mahanta said.
The minister stressed the importance of responsible journalism, urging media professionals to ensure accuracy, avoid misinformation, and provide well-researched reports on climate change and disaster management.
He acknowledged the challenge of making technical aspects of climate science accessible to the general public and encouraged innovative storytelling methods to captivate audiences.
To institutionalize climate communication efforts, Mahanta announced that the Revenue and Disaster Management Department would collaborate with Gauhati University to introduce specialized courses on climate journalism. Additionally, ASDMA is formulating a media outreach strategy in partnership with the university’s Mass Media and Journalism Department.
In her welcome address, ASDMA depeuty CEO MInakshi Das Nath mentioned that the ASDMA has been working to strengthen the disaster management system in all districts of the state up to the revenue circle level to provide immediate response to any natural and man-made disasters in the state.
Speaking as the chief guest, Nagaland University Chancellor Samudragupta Kashyap underscored the growing responsibility of the media in addressing climate change challenges. ASDMA CEO Gyanendra D Tripathi, alongside district PROs, media representatives, and disaster management officials, also attended the event.
The workshop reinforced the necessity of accurate, impactful, and ethical climate reporting to foster informed public discourse and drive meaningful action in Assam’s fight against climate change.
In the lead-up to the workshop marking its foundation day, ASDMA organized a series of outcome-based events aimed at engaging key stakeholders. These included face-to-face discussions with local media representatives and interactions with state and national-level climate and media activists to enhance awareness and understanding of climate-related challenges.
The sessions featured expert panellists, including Dr. Surbhi Dahiya (IIMC, New Delhi), climate activists Mubina Akhtar and Rituraj Phukan, Prof. Arup Kr Sarma (IIT Guwahati), Prof. Santonu Goswami (Azim Premji University, Bangalore), Anup Sharma (Digital Media Specialist, New Delhi), Dr. Chandan Kr Goswami (Gauhati University), and Dr. Bharati Bharali (Gauhati University), who served as moderators.
Additionally, Anand P Kanoo from UNICEF provided insights into the interconnection between Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) in Assam.
The event saw the participation of Gyanendra D Tripathi, Chief Executive Officer of ASDMA, District PROs, media representatives from print, electronic, and digital platforms, district project officers, and senior officials from the Revenue and Disaster Management Department.
