Mozambique – Supporting Environmental Journalists Group
The Problem
Although pollution from industry, automobiles and domestic waste continue to adversely affect the quality of life in Maputo and in Mozambique in general, the majority of the population lacks education and awareness of pollution issues and their relation to human health. A lack of public debate on the subject means a general lack of pressure on relevant institutions to act where human health is threatened by pollution contamination. The media, and especially the radio, is an important source of environmental information and education due to national coverage and transmission in local languages.
Current Activity
With the Blacksmith Institute’s funding support, the purpose of this project is to spread information on environmental laws and regulations to the public and to promote debates about pollution at several levels.
Creating a national awareness on pollution issues and their effects on quality of life and public health is vital. This will also stimulate public debates among politicians, scientists and civil society regarding measures for pollution reduction and mitigation. The programs produced will be published on Radio Mozambique’s two main channels, Antena Nacional and Radio Cidade.
Programs will consist of features, interviews, and news and will be recorded in compact discs for file effects, control or for repetition in case it is necessary. Special target audiences will include people living in polluted areas – particularly in the urban and coastal areas and communities with high industrial activity and polluted waterways.
Outcome
With the Blacksmith financial support, this project has spread information on environmental laws and regulations to the public and promoted debates about pollution at several levels. The programs produced were published on Radio Mozambique’s two main channels, Antena Nacional and Radio Cidade. Programs consist of features, interviews, and news. Special target audiences have included people living in polluted areas – particularly in the urban and coastal areas and communities with high industrial activity and polluted waterways. Blacksmith has received transcripts of 6 radio programs aired by the group; they are now available online. Topics include: Cholera and Leaded Gasoline.