Earth Today | RJR/Gleaner cops Caribbean Environmental Journalism Award

THIS YEAR’S Caribbean Media Awards for Environmental Journalism have gone to Jamaica’s RJR/GLEANER Communications Group and the Barbados Information Service, in recognition of their coverage of the region’s most important marine ecosystems.

The occasion was the 36th Annual Caribbean Broadcasting Union (CBU) Media Awards Gala, held recently in Barbados.

The Award for Excellence in Reporting on Mangrove and Seagrass Beds was presented to the RJR/GLEANER Communications Group for its Television Jamaica feature ‘Rocking the Boat’ by Romardo Lyons, Ivan Shaw, and Uton West.

The Award for Excellence in Reporting on Coral Reefs went to Esther Jones of the Barbados Government Information Service for the video story ‘Our Fragments of Hope’ which highlighted coral restoration work in Belize.

Additionally, Greater Belize Media (Channel 5) received an honourable mention for the story ‘Belize’s Reefs Improving but Still Need Saving’, produced by Marion Ali and Darrel Moguel.

“Media coverage of environmental issues is vital for advancing environmental conservation. Stories like these ensure that the value of nature is understood by the public and by decision-makers whose policies directly affect the future of our coasts and communities,” noted Cleveland Sam, marketing and communications director for The Nature Conservancy (TNC) Caribbean Division who presented the awards.

TNC has partnered with the CBU since 2023 to sponsor categories highlighting marine and coastal conservation to advance public awareness and positive change through media and storytelling initiatives.

Seagrass beds and coral reefs protect the Caribbean coastlines. Seagrass meadows help clean the ocean, store vast amounts of carbon, and provide food and shelter for fish and other marine species.

Coral reefs support more than 25 per cent of all marine life, provide shoreline protection from storms, and are driving forces for tourism and fisheries economies. Yet both ecosystems are under severe threat from pollution, overfishing, and climate change.

The CBU Media Awards and regional media are inspiring action and investment to restore and protect these natural lines of defence.

CBU Media Awards recognise excellence across 52 categories, with support from leading partners including TNC Caribbean Division, UNICEF, Sagicor, the Healthy Caribbean Coalition.

This year, RJRGLEANER emerged as the top performer with 12 awards and six special mentions, followed by Greater Belize Media with 12 awards and three special mentions.