Supporting media in Southeast Europe on climate and disaster reporting

Building on efforts initiated in 2024 to strengthen the disaster preparedness and enhance the broadcasting capacities of Albania’s public broadcaster RTSH, UNESCO is expanding its support in the subregion. A new initiative has been launched for the period of April to December 2025, in partnership with MEMO 98, to bolster several media outlets in Montenegro and North Macedonia to strengthen their climate reporting and disaster management strategies.

#Understanding gaps and opportunities

In May and June 2025, baseline study and needs assessments were conducted in Podgorica (Montenegro) and Skopje (North Macedonia) to identify the existing gaps and opportunities. Through interviews with media executives, senior editors and reporters, a shared set of challenges emerged.

In both countries, formal disaster preparedness strategies and frameworks are largely absent within media institutions. Environmental coverage is often driven by sudden events and climate issues are not structurally embedded in newsroom policies. Editorial standards and internal policies rarely contain specific chapters or protocols related to disaster communication.

The use of digital tools and AI for climate and disaster coverage is inconsistent. Where such tools are used, it’s often for basic tasks like translation - often without clear ethical guidelines or adequate training. “Everyone does what they feel is right,” said one journalist, while another professional stressed “We need clearer guidance and shared practices”.

Collaborations between media outlets and emergency management agencies or scientific bodies are also limited. Shared data flow, communication protocols, and coordinated response mechanisms that would allow media to report timely and verified information during emergencies, are scarce.

Another concern raised during the consultations was the absence of strategies to ensure inclusive, equitable coverage of rural or marginalized communities during environmental emergencies, despite widespread recognition of the importance of such engagement.

At the same time, the assessments revealed strong momentum for change. Journalists and editors interviewed expressed a desire for more structured and practical training on climate and disaster reporting, especially when it comes to storytelling, disaster risk communication, and ethical use of AI and digital tools. Many emphasized the importance of cross-border collaboration and regional projects, valuing shared learning and co-productions.

As one editor pointed out, “We need to build a habit of covering these issues with the same rigor as politics.”

#A multidimensional support project

Drawing on these insights, the project will assist media institutions in both countries in enhancing climate and disaster reporting and elaborating institutional disaster preparedness and response plan—guided by UNESCO’s Model Plan. Practical workshops will cover climate storytelling approaches, data visualization, solutions journalism, and integration of digital and AI tools into newsroom routines.

Recognizing the subregion’s shared environmental risks, the project will also encourage cross-border cooperation enabling joint production and laying the groundwork for regional collaboration frameworks.

Through small grants and on-the-job mentoring, participating outlets will develop public service announcements on disaster preparedness and co-produce in-depth climate stories.

Crisis-ready media isn’t just reporting; they’re responding, reaching out, rescuing, reconnecting ... Equipped with the right expertise and tools, media become vital lifelines, able to keep people informed and safe even when signals go silent.

Mirta Lourenco Chief of the UNECO Section for Media Development and Media in Emergency, Communication and Information Sector

This article was first published by UNESCO on 28 July 2025 here.