[Press Release] Media is Hope AWARD First Half of 2024 Announced! Hokkaido Shimbun and Fuji Television Win Media Awards, TBS TELEVISION and Freelance Journalists Win Individual Awards!

From left to right:
Keijiro Kawakami (TBS TELEVISION)
Mina Oba (Writer/Editor)
Tatsuya Takenaka and Nanoka Shibagaki (Hokkaido Shimbun)
Yoshiko Kobata (Fuji Television)
Hiroyasu Ichikawa (Social Company Co., Ltd.)

An award that recognizes the achievements of media/journalists who contribute to solving social issues such as climate change and SDGs

Media is Hope AWARD is an award that recognizes the achievements of media/journalists who contribute to solving social issues such as climate change and SDGs, and prized by MEDIA IS HOPE Inc. The award is announced twice a year – once for the first half and once for the second half of the year. In August, we held our first-ever awards ceremony.

▶︎”Media is Hope AWARD 2024 First Half” Press Release⇨ https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000011.000128060.html

MEDIA IS HOPE Inc. is an organization that provides various support to strengthen media coverage of climate change with the aim of creating a society capable of solving it. The organization serves as a bridge for media, citizens, corporations, and all stakeholders to build a co-creative relationship in order to achieve essential solutions to climate change.

It is not easy to keep covering social issues such as climate change and SDGs in the media.
We at MEDIA IS HOPE Inc. believe that people outside the media, such as viewers/readers, need to support media and journalists who work hard to address issues, and this award is part of that effort.

【List of Media is Hope AWARD First Half of 2024 winners】

Individual Award:
Keijiro Kawakami/TOKYO BROADCASTING SYSTEM TELEVISION, INC.　
Mina Oba/ Freelance Writer, Editor

Media Award:
The Hokkaido Shimbun Press
Fuji Television

Media Support Award:
Hiroyasu Ichikawa / SocialCompany, Inc.

Media is Hope AWARD began presenting awards in the first half of 2023. For the first half of 2023, the individual award was given to Sanae Shimazu, Me-Tele announcer (Me-Tele Press Release), while the media award was given to Kodansha FRaU. For details about the rwinners of the second half of 2023 and annual awards, please check the link below.
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000004.000128060.html

【Reason for the award】

<First Half of 2024 Individual Award: Keijiro Kawakami / TOKYO BROADCASTING SYSTEM TELEVISION, INC.>
As a director for TV programs like “TBS Hodo Tokushu(TBS Investigative Report)” and “News 23,” he has actively covered and disseminated information across a wide range of fields including agriculture, bullying, and poverty. Furthermore, in the documentary film “Sasutena-Forest:Morino Kunino Moribitotachi (Sustainable Forest:The Guardians of the Forest Nation)”, he carefully unravels the current state and problems of Japan’s neglected forests. The film features a diverse range of interview subjects and captures the challenges from various perspectives, including climate change. The film clearly presents both the path forward for Japanese forestry and potential solutions, offering hope for the future. Mr. Kawakami’s own gentle narration enhances the appeal of this work.

First Half of 2024 Individual Award: Keijiro Kawakami / TOKYO BROADCASTING SYSTEM TELEVISION, INC.

 

<First Half of 2024 Individual Award: Mina Oba / Freelance Writer, Editor>
She has written numerous articles about individuals taking on challenges across various fields, including climate change, gender issues, and food systems. In her interview series such as “Josei Ri-da-tachino Tyousen(Women Leaders’ Challenges)” and interview with Kohei Saito(Economic philosopher), she carefully captures the interviewees’ intentions while bringing hope to readers. While her articles provide comprehensive explanations about the issues, her gentle and accessible writing style helps deliver stories about climate change – a topic often perceived as complex – to a broad audience. This allows readers to engage with social issues without feeling overwhelmed. Her articles will surely inspire readers through the powerful stories of those who fight with unwavering hope and conviction.

First Half of 2024 Individual Award: Mina Oba / Freelance Writer, Editor

 

<2024 First Half Media Award: The Hokkaido Shimbun Press>
Hokkaido Shimbun holds the majority share of newspaper subscriptions in Hokkaido and maintains high reader engagement through locally-focused information. The “Kikou Ihen : Hokkaido Shimbun Digital (Climate Crisis: Hokkaido Shimbun Digital)” series, which began last December, has published numerous articles that make global climate change issues feel more relatable by focusing on local specialties, ecosystems, and phenomena unique to the region. In particular, the series of “How Long Will Our Rich Food Table Last?” features articles that convey a sense of urgency about how climate change is beginning to affect aspects directly connected to daily life, serving as a model example of communication that leverages the unique strengths of local media. It truly embodies their company slogan: “Creating Hokkaido’s Future Together with You.”

2024 First Half Media Award: The Hokkaido Shimbun Press

 

<2024 First Half Media Award: Fuji Television>
With the theme “Making SDGs Personal Through the Power of Television,” Fuji Television delivers content that values the power of visual media to inspire people. Broadcasting five regular SDGs-themed programs weekly and successfully producing “Zero Carbon Programs (Future Runners SP)” that achieve net-zero CO2 emissions during the production process. It is truly admirable how the company, as a television and mass media organization, is not only promoting awareness of “urban farming” – growing vegetables in urban areas – through initiatives like the “Action Odaiba Farm” established on their premises, but also actively engaging with SDGs themselves. Through continuous communication and the creation of sustainable spaces, they are raising awareness about climate change issues and inspiring viewers to take enjoyable action.

2024 First Half Media Award: Fuji Television

 

<2024 First Half Media Support Award : Hiroyasu Ichikawa / Media Consultant, SocialCompany, Inc.>
As a media consultant, he actively uses the latest digital technologies such as generative AI to analyze and examine important topics from various sources of information. He delivers a weekly newsletter (Climate Curation) covering comprehensive domestic and international information on climate change, new technologies for solutions, and climate tech. The newsletter has over 1,600 registered subscribers in Japan, while the English version, which delivers Japanese information abroad, has over 2,300 subscribers (as of June 21, 2024). By providing curated information both within and outside the media, he is giving positive support to Japan’s climate change information, which tends to be isolated, and playing an important role in addressing climate change solutions.

2024 First Half Media Support Award : Hiroyasu Ichikawa / Media Consultant, SocialCompany, Inc.

Outline of the ceremony

The awards ceremony was the first to be held since the establishment of the Media is Hope AWARD.
During the ceremony, the award winners shared examples of their ongoing reporting work. In a discussion format, they also shared their passion and sense of purpose as media professionals and journalists covering climate change – aspects that rarely reach their audience. They also discussed the unique challenges and some creative approaches specific to different media formats, as well as their individual future outlooks.

For general viewers/readers, it was an opportunity to feel closer to the media than usual, while for participating media professionals, it was a chance to learn from the innovative approaches of pioneering media outlets and journalists. We hope this will serve as a valuable reference for new angles and ideas in future reporting.

Date: 2024/8/23 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Location: City Lab TOKYO 3-1-1, TOKYO SQARE GARDEN 6F, Kyobashi Chuo sity, Tokyo
*This ceremony  also be streamed on ZOOM
Host: MEDIA IS HOPE Inc.
Subject: Media / Citizens
Entrance Fee: Free
Capacity: 50 in person(50 Media / 20 invited / 10 open to the general public), 300 offline (*Reception will end once capacity is reached)

Contents:
・Opening remarks, announcement of the winners of Media is Hope AWARD First Half of 2024
・Winners’ comments
・Questions from the viewers /readers
・Discussion among the winners about the challenges of climate change reporting, which differ from one media to another
・Closing remarks

Moving forward, by conveying the media’s dedicated efforts from the viewpoint of viewers/readers, we will enhance audience engagement and create momentum to support climate change reporting. Furthermore, encouragement from viewers/readers. will lead to more substantive climate change reporting, so we will continue our activities to build a mutually enriching relationship between media and viewers/readers.

Upcoming Event

“Let’s Make It Together! Renewable Energy Day 2024” will be held on Sunday, September 22, 2024, at Shibuya Sakura Stage, a new multi-purpose facility directly connected to Shibuya Station. The announcement of the “Media is Hope AWARD Hall of Fame” is scheduled during the event! Please join us.

Outline of the event

Date: 9/22/2024 
Location: Shibuya Sakura Stage
How to Participate: Open to everyone (No registration required, Free admission)
Priority seating will be given to those who pre-register via Peatix for public viewing of the renewable energy special program.(Registration opens in late August)
Host: MEDIA IS HOPE Inc.

This event offers a comprehensive experience that spans from raising awareness about climate change and sustainability issues to creating positive movement and motivation towards solutions, and ultimately taking practical action. Elevating Japan’s awareness of climate change, helping participants experience how renewable energy represents a hopeful solution, and encouraging behavioral change through positive messaging. The second in a series of events convening opinion leaders in climate change and sustainability, fostering collaborative innovation.

▼Press release of the event

[プレスリリース第２弾] 2024/9/22(日)「みんなでつくろう再エネの日！2024」＠渋谷サクラステージ！豪華な登壇者や出展、タイムスケジュールを公開！！