How climate journalists should handle hesitation from sources and reader pushback

Veteran climate journalists convened in Phoenix for a conversation about how reporters can mitigate hesitation from sources and manage pushback from readers. 

It came as part of a panel discussion at the Society of Environmental Journalists annual conference about how journalists can hold people accountable. Panelists said that this is an extremely important topic to discuss because the success of journalism could be affected if a reporter doesn’t push for the truth.

Executive editor of Drilled Media, Amy Westervelt; former science reporter at the Blacklight Investigative Unit for New York Amsterdam News, Helina Selemon; and The Arizona Republic climate reporter Joan Meiners were featured on the panel.

Here are three takeaways from the discussion.

Investigative techniques are an essential part of reporting

• Westervelt said that the “old style” way of building relationships, like meeting people in person, is an essential part of getting information from sources. 
• Journalists should grow a backbone. Westervelt emphasized that pushback from sources is not a sign to “roll over and give in.” Journalists should still push to find the answers. 

Journalists must be considerate of a source’s concerns

• Scientific experts and other professionals who are part of federally funded projects may be risking their professional careers when giving quotes in a journalistic story. 
• Meiners said that journalists can mitigate this issue by understanding what’s going on, having in-depth knowledge about a subject and remaining sensitive to the concerns of sources. 

Strength in numbers within the field of journalism 

• Journalism should move away from its traditionally competitive and individualistic nature, Westervelt said. Instead, they should help one another. 
• Organizations such as the Society of Environmental Journalists and the Freelance Solidarity Project are avenues for reporters to collaborate and discuss hardships in the industry. 

Amelia Monroe is a junior at Arizona State University, and is part of a student newsroom led by The Arizona Republic.

Coverage of the Society of Environmental Journalists conference is supported by Arizona State University’s Cronkite School of Journalism, the University of Arizona and the Arizona Media Association.

These stories are published open-source for other news outlets and organizations to share and republish, with credit and links to azcentral.com.