A Press for the Planet: Azhar Al-Rubaie’s Journalism in the Face of the Environmental Crisis

Today, we turn to Azhar Al-Rubaie, a freelance journalist from Iraq, who has covered a wide range of issues, including conflict, politics, health, corruption, and human rights abuses throughout his career. In recent years, Al-Rubaie has turned his attention to environmental issues and the climate crisis, especially in his home country, Iraq. He shares:

‘Over the past few years, I have been actively engaged in journalism focused on climate change and environmental issues. This is a critical area, especially in my home country of Iraq, where environmental awareness is limited and there are few journalists specializing in this field. I felt compelled to step into this arena of reporting to contribute to the solutions for the climate crisis.’

Under the slogan ‘A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the Face of the Environmental Crisis’, UNESCO’s focus of this year’s World Press Freedom Day is on the role of journalism in reporting and informing on the environment and climate emergency. From covering topics such as the impact of the fossil fuel industry, pollution, deforestation, and climate-related migration to countering misinformation and disinformation on the environment and climate crises, journalists have faced challenges in their work and their safety. On World Press Freedom Day, we underline the vital importance of journalism in covering environmental issues, holding powerful stakeholders to account, and informing of potential solutions.

A free press is crucial to democracy, particularly in a year when most of the world’s population is going to the polls. In the context of multiplying global conflicts, disinformation, populism, and record-high temperatures and countless environmental disasters, journalism is ever more important.

Reflecting on the importance of journalism in the face of the environmental crisis in his own work, Azhar Al-Rubaie shares:

‘The role of journalism in the environmental and climate crisis is multifaceted. Journalists in Iraq serve as crucial informants, bringing to light the often unseen or unacknowledged aspects of environmental degradation and climate change.

Through my work, I am trying to hold authorities accountable for their actions and policies that impact the environment. Moreover, journalism can act as a catalyst for change, inspiring public discourse, and action on environmental issues.

Conversely, the environmental and climate crisis has a profound impact on journalists, particularly in regions like Iraq. Journalists in such areas face significant risks as they report on sensitive issues like oil flaring harmful damage on human life, water theft, and pollution.

Despite facing numerous challenges in reporting on climate change and environmental issues, Iraqi journalists have remained vocal. For someone like me, living in exile has only fuelled my determination to diligently cover these critical topics—a task that my peers in Iraq may find challenging to undertake.’

In 2023, Azhar Al-Rubaie, together with his BBC News team, won the British Journalism Award in the category of ‘Energy & Environment Journalism’ for their documentary ‘Under Poisoned Skies’, ‘uncovering the deadly impact of the oil giants’ toxic air pollution on children and the planet’.

You can watch the documentary here:

‍

Azhar Al-Rubaie is an award-winning freelance journalist from , working with pan-Arab and international media outlets, including the BBC, Al Jazeera, Middle East Eye, VICE, and the Arab Weekly. He is a political analyst and regional expert, working with think tanks and research institutions, such The Washington Institute for Near East Policy and the London School of Economics (LSE).

Since February 2023, Al-Rubaie has been in ICORN residency in Malmö, Sweden.

‍

‍