Earth Today | Jamaican journalist cops TNC/CBU Media Award for environmental reporting

JAMAICAN JOURNALIST Carol Francis is the winner of The Nature Conservancy (TNC)/Caribbean Broadcasting Union (CBU) Caribbean Media Award for Excellence in Environmental Journalism – Mangrove and Seagrass Beds.

She was presented with the award at the 35th CBU Caribbean Media Awards Gala held recently at Umaya Hotel in Placencia, Belize.

“She and her team prepared a 15-minute documentary titled Protecting Jamaica’s Own, which examines the relationships between mangroves and crocodiles in Jamaica and emphasises the importance of mangrove as an ecosystem,” TNC noted in a press release to the media.

“TNC Caribbean Division extends congratulations to Ms Carol Francis of the Public Broadcasting Corporation of Jamaica (PBCJ) on being the first recipient of the prestigious … award,” it added.

Sponsored by TNC Caribbean, the award recognises outstanding journalism that highlights critical environmental issues relating to mangroves and seagrass beds in the region.

“Francis’ storytelling efforts have helped to inform and engage the public on the importance of preserving the Caribbean’s natural resources, and encouraged local citizens to take action on critical environmental issues,” the release said.

The winning CBU entry formed part of a series called Protecting Jamaica’s Own.

“In Jamaica, mangrove forests are affected by competing land uses, pollution, climate change and overfishing. Crocodiles are an endangered, protected species in Jamaica,” said Francis, who is currently the programme manager at the PBCJ, the only public service television broadcaster in Jamaica.

“They are also protectors of the mangroves. The feature submitted looked at the interconnectivity between mangroves and crocodiles, and the importance of protecting both the mangroves and crocodiles,” added the award-winning journalist with more than 20 years’ experience.

Her awards received previously include the Caribbean Media Exchange Sustainable Tourism Award for her reporting on the destruction of the coral reefs in western Jamaica and the Press Association of Jamaica Award for her coverage of the volcanic eruption in Montserrat.

The Caribbean Broadcasting Union’s Caribbean Media Awards, meanwhile, celebrate the best in Caribbean journalism and present awards in some 55 categories, showcasing the diversity of media coverage and journalism talent regionwide.

“TNC remains committed to recognising and supporting the work of journalists who are making a difference,” the TNC noted in the release.