Reporting on sustainable development was on the agenda for discussions during the 9th ASEF Journalists’ Colloquium, which was held from 9-12 November 2013 in Gurgaon, India in conjunction with the 11th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) of Foreign Ministers.
Some 42 journalists and environmental experts from 29 ASEM countries gathered to discuss pressing environmental issues, sustainable development goals, poverty reduction, energy and green growth, and specific media challenges in reporting on these topics.
Journalists shared how these issues are reported on in their own countries especially on how to link international issues with local concerns. Journalists also addressed challenges of reporting on environmental issues, such as dealing with technical data, making concrete stories out of “abstract” green issues, moving beyond disaster and crisis reporting, and decoupling business interests from journalism.
Results of the discussion will be developed into a journalists’ handbook for sustainable development reporting, which will be out in the first quarter of 2014.
Participants also took part in the press conference of the 11th ASEM Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, and had the opportunity to pose questions directing to Indian External Minister Salman Khurshid.