Media
Media development action with informed and engaged societies
Media
After nearly 28 years, The Communication Initiative (The CI) Global is entering a new chapter. Following a period of transition, the global website has been transferred to the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in South Africa, where it will be administered by the Social and Behaviour Change Communication Division. Wits' commitment to social change and justice makes it a trusted steward for The CI's legacy and future.
 
Co-founder Victoria Martin is pleased to see this work continue under Wits' leadership. Victoria knows that co-founder Warren Feek (1953–2024) would have felt deep pride in The CI Global's Africa-led direction.
 
We honour the team and partners who sustained The CI for decades. Meanwhile, La Iniciativa de Comunicación (CILA) continues independently at cila.comminitcila.com and is linked with The CI Global site.
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Network of Climate Change Journalists of the Greater Horn of Africa (NECJOGHA)

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The Network of Climate Change Journalists of the Greater Horn of Africa (NECJOGHA) was formed in 2002 in Eldoret, Kenya, during the ninth Climate Outlook Forum (COF9) after a series of discussions between journalists and climate scientists at climate outlook forums and users' workshops. The 10 countries comprising NECJOGHA include Burundi, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. The objective of the network is to enhance the interaction between climate scientists and journalists and, in so doing, to disseminate climate information in ways that are easily understood by all, including policymakers and the general public in the Greater Horn of Africa (GHA).
Communication Strategies

NECJOGHA seeks to promote and coordinate the transmission of climate-related information in the GHA. It collaborates with National Meteorological Services and other specialised climate institutions of the region in order to synthesise scientific information for different sectors, e.g. health, agriculture, environment, hydrology, power, and industry.

 

It also strives to provide timely climate information to members in the GHA for rapid dissemination to the public. This information originates from National Meteorological Services in each respective country and such specialised agencies as the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and Drought Monitoring Centre Nairobi (DMCN).

 

Climate media associations in each country provide the focal points, which coordinate national activities. NECJOGHA members from these national associations range from practicing media professionals to weather/climate experts.

 

The network also strives to build capacity and create awareness in member countries in the region. In addition, it seeks to advise and provide guidance to specialised climate institutions on media matters and the public.

Development Issues

Climate Change

Key Points

Among the key problems identified by NECJOGHA that impede the use of climate information by the general public are the following: too often the language used is too difficult for most users to understand; outlooks are presented in jargon; user-specific products are often unavailable; and users are often unaware of the availability and potential use of climate products.

Sources

NECJOGHA website, July 27 2011 and October 16 2012.