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What is the role of media today? Does it have a responsibility to be involved, or should it sit on the sidelines observing? The world has changed radically in recent years. The internet is enabling ordinary citizens, whether farmers, teachers or victims of war and diaster, to have their say. Politicians are finding it increasingly difficult to ignore them. However, for civil society to express itself more knowledgeably on the issues that matter - climate change, peace and security, migration, human rights, health care... - it also requires access to credible  information. This is where good and well-informed journalists can help promote much-needed transparency and accountability. For this to happen, however, they also need the support of other key players such as the private sector, international aid agencies and governments. Daniel Wermus of the Geneva-based Media21 Global Journalism Network explores the possibilities of reporters assuming a more active and outspoken role in global citizenship.

Geneva -- From Copenhagen to Port-au-Prince, can – or should – we journalists become saviours of the planet? The climate change bell has begun ringing following 30 years of silence – a silence which only helped make the problem worse. Today, however, media pros have taken it upon themselves to engage in Haiti. (See recent articles by Essential Edge contributor Tom Woods, a Paris-based film-maker). By actively helping devastated local radio stations tell the earthquake-affected population what’s happening. Such contribution is also critically helping the international aid community improve its own outreach by letting the victims know what relief workers are doing, when and where.

This partnership between media and aid agencies, notably the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the International Federation of Red Cross Societies (IFRC) took years to evolve, but it is finally happening. The need to be involved by the media as part of a global citizenship appears to be on the rise.

However, between mega-summits and mega-disasters, are our heralds of info doing their job? By observing the long-term processes of planetary erosion are they effectively exposing the causes of such threats by questioning global players in Geneva or elsewhere? Are they pointing at those who are blocking or delaying solutions? Who is really dealing with the commonplace horror of 40,000 children dying everyday for nothing?

Despite such blatant realities, much of the media industry remains ineffective and voiceless. Citizens or not, media players of the 21st century are clearly part of the planetary game –along with states, business and civil society. This game represents nothing less than the survival of humanity.

Can we sit idly by while facing a dying planet? Ask Gorbatchov’s Green Cross? If we believe in the IPCC climatologists, we only have 10 or 15 years to establish a less predatory civilization. After that, things could well plunge out of control in manner that still seems too fantastical to envisage. And yet, this is the path we are taking.

Without the media, it will be impossible to help people understand – and accept - the need for rapid change both in personal habits and government policies. At the same time, the media needs to remain vigilant, critical and pluralist.

The IPCC has clearly made some slips, but these do not change the overall picture. We are facing a major crisis. The smell of scorching continues and little or nothing is being resolved in a manner that will provide true impact. What we are perceiving are a lot of perfunctionary gestures and empty words.

Just like Star Wars, something many people, including our children, can understand better, we are all passengers on the same space vessel. Journalists are part of it too. And if our situation is similar to that of the Titanic, is media acting more like the chamber orchestra rocking us until we sink?

Or does it represent an open and independent public space for questions and debate by involving everyone – pilots, crew, shipowners, first and third class passengers, capable of bringing both policymakers and scientists to heel with the question: “What’s happening? What do we need to do?” Not our business?

Well, yes it is. Media social responsibility is emerging. To avoid the blame of failing to respond to our planet in danger, journalists need to step forward in a outspoken and well-informed manner.

Last September in Paris, public broadcast media (among which BBC, Radio France International, Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union) and other professional organizations worldwide approved at a Unesco Conference a “Declaration for an Increased Public Awareness of Climate Change”.

The message is being carried forward. This coming June Deutsche Welle is convening a global media forum – “The Heat is On” – to discuss concrete targets for journalistic efficiency in the race against global warming. Are information and action compatible? Can –or should – we the 4th estate use our power and responsibility in a more concerted manner to tip the scales in order shift the Titanic’s course in a more timely manner? The debate is open.

Daniel Wermus is director of the  Media21 Global Journalism Network in Geneva, a non-profit international organization that seeks to work with experienced journalists worldwide but also diverse partners from the United Nations and NGOs to the private sector, military and media in order to promote better quality reporting of humanitarian, enviromental, human rights and other key issues. Email:  •This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it•