Global Climate Journalism Insights: Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia is a politically complex region at the frontline of climate impacts.

It therefore faces a conundrum when it comes to creating journalism that offers a spotlight on the problem. In this region perhaps more acutely than anywhere, local outlets bring critical insights from regions experiencing the effects of our changing climate.

A 2023 report by the World Bank predicted 7.5 million people could fall into poverty as a consequence of climate change here by 2030. In this context, against a broader backdrop of continuing industrialisation and fossil fuel use in Southeast Asia, local awareness of the causes and consequences of climate change is more critical—and potentially difficult—than ever.  

Using insight gathered from climateXchange’s inaugural knowledgeXchange session in Singapore in late 2023, this report gathers voices from local outlets across the region with a view to determining the specific challenges facing content creators in Southeast Asia. These include the search for relatability amongst audiences, the battle for reader attention in a multi-platform world, the lack of resource and access to sources—and the ever-present spectre of restricted journalistic freedom and voice. This report, the first of cXc’s Insights publications, explores the challenges—and potential solutions—in this region’s journalism ecosystem.

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