14 August 2023. David Ilieski lives in Skopje and has been working as an investigative journalist at the Investigative Reporting Lab – IRL, a media organisation for investigative journalism, since 2018. As part of IRL, he has co-authored numerous stories exposing corruption, financial crime, illegal construction and political abuse of power.
“In North Macedonia, a developing country with its own unique set of challenges, climate change reporting is more important than ever,” he writes in his application text. “Our country is disproportionately vulnerable to the impacts of climate change due to economic limitations and less resilience compared to more affluent nations. Mainstream media, unfortunately, often overlooks this, allowing the power dynamics, illicit activities, and corruption contributing to environmental degradation to go unchecked. It’s not just an environmental crisis; it’s a social and political crisis deeply rooted in the lack of rule of law and the widespread corruption.
Climate change is forcing a re-evaluation of how journalism functions. This necessitates a more holistic and sustained approach to reporting. Further, it’s making us re-assess the traditional journalistic norm of objectivity. When it comes to climate change, there are no “two sides” to balance – the science is clear, and it’s our duty to unequivocally report it
Yes, journalism should and must adapt in response to climate change. It’s about more than just communicating scientific facts; it involves illuminating societal structures and power dynamics contributing to the crisis. It also demands that we recognize and amplify the voices of those most affected by climate change. To facilitate this, journalists should be equipped with appropriate training and resources to report on these complex and interconnected issues.”
