COP30: Central Role of Journalism in Safeguarding Information Integrity for Climate Action Featured at UN Climate Talks

Belem, Brazil: The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) has stressed the need for stronger protection of information integrity as a foundation for effective climate governance. This call comes as misinformation and disinformation, often driven by denial, deception and delay tactics, continue to undermine global climate efforts. The message was delivered by NUSOJ Secretary General Omar Faruk Osman during a high-level COP30 panel organised by UNESCO on governance and digital policies for information integrity on climate change.

The panel, held at the UN Pavilion, brought together global leaders, including senior officials of the Brazilian government, delegates from countries supporting global information integrity and the United Nations Department of Global Communications. It was chaired by Guilherme Canela, Director of UNESCO’s Division for Digital Inclusion, Policies and Digital Transformation and centred on the growing importance of safeguarding information integrity within climate governance.

In his remarks, Osman warned that climate disinformation continues to distort public understanding, fuel denials and delay the urgent action needed. He stressed that independent and high-quality journalism is vital for accuracy and transparency in climate reporting, which strengthens public trust and supports informed decision-making. He noted that journalists act as public watchdogs who expose false narratives and hold power to account, making freedom of expression an essential pillar of global climate efforts.

Osman linked these concerns to the UN Global Principles for Information Integrity and UNESCO’s wider digital governance agenda. He argued that protecting journalists is key to ensuring that societies receive verified and science-based climate information at a time when organised disinformation campaigns weaken environmental policy, undermine climate action and erode trust. He called for stronger cooperation between governments, media and technology platforms to address climate falsifications, supported by ethical standards, digital literacy and clear verification systems.

During an interactive discussion on national and sectoral implementation, Osman stressed the need to strengthen newsrooms and media networks. He noted that many journalists reporting on climate issues are young and require better tools to understand and interpret complex climate data. He encouraged training in scientific communication and closer collaboration between journalists, scientists and civil society to support accurate climate reporting.

Osman also outlined steps to help journalists resist manipulation and disinformation. These included stronger verification protocols, newsroom policies that protect against political or corporate interference; and media self-regulation that reinforces ethical practice. He urged news organisations to prioritise evidence-based storytelling informed by robust research and he recommended strategic partnerships with universities and data hubs to improve access to verified environmental information.

Highlighting the link between journalism and national climate governance, Osman said that journalistic integrity must be treated as part of wider accountability frameworks under the Global Initiative for Information Integrity on Climate Change (GIIICC). He urged governments to integrate media development into national climate strategies and involve journalists in national consultations on climate and digital governance.

NUSOJ commended UNESCO and the United Nations for convening the high-level panel and associated discussions and placing journalism at the centre of global debates on information integrity. The union reaffirmed its commitment, alongside the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the Federation of African Journalists (FAJ), to defend media freedom, counter disinformation and ensure that journalists are supported to contribute meaningfully to national and international climate action.