ASAL Press Forum: A Robust Journalists Network Formed to Amplify Climate Change Stories

The ASAL PRESS FORUM (APF), the first ever robust platform for journalists from Marsabit County and the wider northern region, was launched to bolster the reporting of climate change and other human-interest stories in the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) regions.

The network was formed following a three-day training and engagement workshop organised by the Marsabit Journalists Association in collaboration with PACIDA, Thinkout Africa, a leading social impact communications and strategy company and Juhudi Mashinani.

The workshop, which saw journalists, bloggers, and podcasters from Marsabit County and the wider northern region trained on climate change reporting and emerging trends in journalism and technology, including artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT), augmented reality, and machine learning, among others, was led by experts from Thinkout Africa.

“This platform will bolster our reporting skills, wellness and experience sharing as journalists and bloggers from this region”, said Michael Kwena, the Chairperson of Marsabit Journalists Association.

“Climate change, experts say, is not just an environmental issue — it is a human development crisis. We are ready to support the ASAL Press Forum so that it grows into a robust community of practice – a platform that will redefine the coverage of climate change and other development issues in this region independently, fairly and professionally,” said Simon Wachira, the CEO of Thinkout Africa.

PACIDA’s Partnership Manager, Ibrahim Abdallah, assured APF of the organisation’s support in providing linkages, exchange visits, and capacity-building platforms to its members. “We have partners and networks that you can leverage on to build your skills in covering the northern region,” said Ibrahim.“

“The media is the conscience of the society; it’s a trusted watchdog. We are encouraged that you have come together to amplify climate change stories. We are ready to link you with platforms that matter in this space,” said Ndinda Maithya, Hivos East Africa Voices for Just Climate Action Programme Manager.

The workshop was supported by the PACIDA Consortium, comprising PACIDA (lead partner), Thinkout Africa (communications partner), and Juhudi Mashinani (grassroots implementation partner), under the Voices for Just Climate Action programme, supported by Hivos East Africa.