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One year ago today, the first of my three-part series on wildlife trafficking & illegal trade in the Philippines was published in the Inquirer. It ran as our banner story for three days and led to more conversations about our biodiversity and our roles in protecting our wildlife.
A lot had happened since then. Personally, it opened more opportunities for me to discuss this very important issue with different stakeholders—from government, civil society, private sector. It has also challenged me to work on understanding this complex topic even more.
Environment stories, especially those that deal with “unsexy” topics, do not often receive this major treatment in local media. In the time of limited print space, to land on the front page for 3 days straight and see your story in full pages is an honor and a privilege.
I am forever thankful to PDI and my editors who pushed and supported me in this endeavor. Working on this for six months, alongside other reports and personal circumstances, was made possible because of newsroom leaders who understand and give you the space to pursue stories.
In seminars & workshops I’ve done on my personal capacity in the past year, one question I often come across is why there aren’t a lot of environment stories in local media. The thing is, there are reporters willing to work on these stories and a public that wants to read them.
But we also need newsroom leaders (editors, managers, publishers) who understand that important stories about important matters in our world take time and resources. Journalists working on these stories need all the support from their editors and managers. Collaboration is key.
In particular for environment stories, we need editors and newsroom managers who understand why environment stories are important (even if they are not the sexiest topics to sell). Environment reporting should not be limited to disasters. Rather, we should elevate the discussion.
I don’t consider myself an expert on environment issues, nor an expert on reporting on the environment. I’m just a storyteller who is really passionate for our planet and our people. I’m also just really, really, really curious about how our world works.
I have fervent hope that we will continue to have more environment stories and reports in our local media, as we face simultaneous challenges at this time: the COVID-19 pandemic and the climate crisis. Environment stories that touch on our humanity and our shared planet.
This has been a nice reflection. My deepest gratitude to those who read my stories and those who trust me to tell theirs.
Those interested to read/reread them, here are the links to the series:
Philippines losing P50B a year to illegal wildlife trade: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1155025/ph-losing-p50b-a-year-to-illegal-wildlife-trade
Philippines losing P50B a year to illegal wildlife trade: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1155025/ph-losing-p50b-a-year-to-illegal-wildlife-trade
New Filipino wildlife traffickers, traders emerge in Facebook hubs: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1155575/new-filipino-wildlife-traffickers-traders-emerge-in-fb-hubs
Prosecuting wildlife criminals still a daunting challenge to Philippine government: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1155737/prosecuting-wildlife-criminals-still-daunting-challenge-to-govt
And with a lot of important conversations right now on wildlife trafficking, COVID-19 and zoonotic diseases, here are stories I’ve worked on earlier this year on their connection:
Wildlife trafficking perfect recipe for next zoonotic disease https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1250712/wildlife-trafficking-perfect-recipe-for-next-zoonotic-disease
Wildlife trafficking perfect recipe for next zoonotic disease https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1250712/wildlife-trafficking-perfect-recipe-for-next-zoonotic-disease
Pandemic opens window to set back wildlife trade https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1251356/pandemic-opens-window-to-set-back-wildlife-trade
