Consistent Reporting and community engagement: An antidote to disinformation
((o))Eco: Environmental reporter’s pushback against the privatization of coastal areas in Brazil.
((o))eco is a non-profit journalism outlet founded in 2004 that is dedicated to documenting the challenges, setbacks and advances in issues related to nature conservation, biodiversity and environmental policy in Brazil. They aim to bring a voice to animals and plants, through those who are interested in protecting them.
- Brazil
- ((o))Eco
- 2023-2024
- Brazil
- ((o))Eco
- 2023-2024
MAIN REVENUE MODEL
> The Story
Since 2019, our RFW corps member Aldem Bourscheit has been consistently reporting on the environmental impact of a planned development project privatizing coastal areas in Boipeba island in Brazil. When faced by pushback from local communities who were made to believe that the project had a positive developmental impact on the area. Aldem and his editors recognized the importance of deeper engagement with the community and reporting consistently on this issue. Aldem embarked on a year-long series of reporting from the ground highlighting the negative impact the project had on the environment and the local community.
Impact Summary:
Individual Impact- Increased Awareness and media amplification
Aldem’s direct engagement with the community on the ground along with his consistent reporting on the issue led to increased awareness and changes in behaviors as the community started exerting public pressure against the project. Engagement with the story increased over time indicating increased awareness. The reporting led to a partnership with Mongabay which allowed the production of a video and special report highlighting how the project would accelerate deforestation in the Atlantic Forest, disrupt the livelihoods of traditional communities and encourage land speculation and similar large-scale developments along the Bahia coast.
Internal Institutional Impact
The increase in coverage rate on environmental stories by Aldem made way for more contact with other philanthropic organizations interested in environmental policies related projects. It established ((o)) eco as a reliable source of environmental reporting leading other media outlets to base their content on ((o)) eco’s stories.
Institutional Impact
Congress initiated discussions about the project pausing it for a long period of time. The Federal Public Ministry demanded the revocation of the permit issued by the government to build the project.
Internal Individual Impact
Aldem’s community outreach allowed him to expand his network of resources on the ground.
Network Impact
Save Boipeba Movement, a social movement is using their content to inform the community.
Takeaway
Seeking to Engage more with the community to cover stories can contribute greatly to their impact. Additionally, collaborating with other newsrooms deepens and enriches the perspective of the story.
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