Activism or accuracy — As climate change disrupts the planet, should it upend journalism as well?

Journo

In 2021, News Corp’s tabloids in Australia made a stunning announcement.

For the month leading up to the Glasgow climate summit, they would be running a nationwide campaign on how to tackle climate change.

Cries of hypocrisy rang out from pundits all over — including News Corps’ own — for this seeming about-face on the white-hot issue.

So, was it a flash in the pan, or was it a turning point in climate change reporting of the most influential papers in Australia, from one of the biggest publishers in the world?

And what does it matter anyway when you’re reporting from Polynesia, where you’ve been telling the story for decades, as international media fly in, tell you that your island is sinking, and then fly out?

Look closely and you’ll notice journalists are finding new ways to tell the defining story of our time — even as the water is lapping at their door.

In this episode of Journo, Nick Bryant talks sinking islands, columnists in denial and "patronising the messenger" with guests Ben English, editor of The Daily Telegraph in Sydney, Lagipoiva Cherelle Jackson, Editor of Pacific Environment Weekly and Andrew McCormick, Deputy Director of Covering Climate Now.

Journo is a production of Deadset Studios. This episode was made with support from the Judith Neilson Institute.

Host: Nick Bryant
Executive Producer: Rachel Fountain
Producers: Grace Pashley and Britta Jorgensen
Sound Design: Krissy Miltiadou
Managing Editor: Kellie Riordan
Commissioning Editor: Andrea Ho

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