Total of 12 award winners from TV, newspapers, radio, digital media, etc. that contribute to solving climate change are announced 【Media is Hope AWARD 2024】
Media is Hope AWARD 2024 second half and annual winners announced! The awards ceremony will be held at the United Nations University on February 25th
MEDIA IS HOPE Inc. promotes its value by awarding reporting and initiatives that contribute to solving climate change, such as solutions journalism, which focuses not only on problems but also on solutions, and engaged journalism, which solves problems through dialogue and collaboration with audiences. This time, we evaluated the programs based on their “information that is closely related to everyday life,” such as daily weather, food, and energy.
(*The reasons for each award are explained below.)
Join us at the awards ceremony to celebrate the media professionals who are working to solve climate change!
■press release＜PRTIMES＞：https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000018.000128060.html
[List of Media is Hope AWARD 2024 second half and annual winners]
<Second half of 2024>
Individual Award: HuffPost Japan, Sumireko Tomita / Nikkei Inc., Ryosuke Matsuzoe
Media Award: J-WAVE / Nihon Nogyo Shimbun
＜2024 Annual＞
Individual Award: Kai Ichino, Asahi Shimbun
Media Award: Weathernews / Alterna
Special Award: Joint Statement by Weather Forecasters and Weathercasters on the Climate Crisis
Series Continuation Award: BS Asahi Earth Crisis
Investigative Reporting Award: NHK Special Investigative Reporting New Century File 7: Blind Spots in Climate Change Measures
Solution Award: Chukai Television Broadcasting Co., Ltd.
Solution Journalism Award: IDEAS FOR GOOD
*The Media is Hope Award is an award presented by MEDIA IS HOPE Inc. to recognize the achievements of media/journalists who contribute to solving social issues such as climate change and SDGs.
MEDIA IS HOPE INC. is an association that provides various support to strengthen climate change reporting in order to realize a society that can solve climate change. It acts as a bridge to build co-creative relationships between media, citizens, companies, and all other stakeholders. It is not easy to continue to cover social issues such as climate change and the SDGs in the media. We at MEDIA IS HOPE Inc. believe that viewers/readers and other people outside the media need to support media and journalists who are working hard to address these issues, and this award is part of that.
On Tuesday, February 25, 2025, the Media is Hope AWARD 2024 second half and full year awards ceremony will be held!
<<Event Overview>>
At the awards ceremony, the awardees will introduce what they do to reach their audiences widely and deeply, and the projects/contents that have received the most attention. They will also talk about “climate change communication close to people’s lives” that leads to behavioral changes among viewers and readers, and the role and potential of the media in the age of climate change, such as solving problems through reporting and the audience.
■ Date and time: 2025/2/25 (Tue) 18:00-20:00 (Registration begins at 17:45)
■ Location: United Nations University Headquarters Building
■ Organizer: MEDIA IS HOPE Inc.
■ Audience: Media representatives and the general public
■ Capacity: 70 people in person
■ Application: Free
■ Application form: https://forms.gle/UjWem2FNUDkFSUZw8
■ Press release
<PRTIMES>: https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000018.000128060.html
■ Timeline *Speakers/contents may be subject to change
17:45~ Door open
18:00~18:05 Opening remarks
18:05~18:35 Awards 1: Trophy presentation/Winner comments/Dialogue between winners
・Second half individual award
・Second half media award
18:35~19:05 Awards 2: Trophy presentation/Winner comments/Dialogue between winners
・Series Continuation Award
・Investigative Reporting Award
・Solution Award
・Solution Journalism Award
19:05~19:35 Awards 3: Trophy presentation / Winner comments / Conversation between winners
– Annual individual award
– Annual media award
– Special award: Joint statement by weather forecasters and weather anchors on the climate crisis
19:35~19:45 Questions from viewers/readers*
19:45~19:55 Winners’ impressions
19:55~20:00 Closing remarks
*The Q&A corner from viewers/readers will ask questions that were submitted in advance.
Questions for the award winners can be submitted through the application form
▶︎Apply and ask a question: https://forms.gle/UjWem2FNUDkFSUZw8
Media is Hope AWARD 2024 Second Half and Annual Awards [Reasons for Award]
We will introduce 12 winners from the media who are contributing to solving climate change, and their efforts.
[Media is Hope AWARD 2024 Second Half Winners]
<2024 Second Half Individual Award: Sumireko Tomita, HuffPost Japan>
She writes articles that appeal to society about the impact and seriousness of climate change on daily life from the perspective that “climate change is an issue that directly affects the readers’ lives.” In several articles, including “What impact will climate change have on the Paris Olympics?“, she clearly explains the scientific relationship between extreme weather and climate change, deepening readers’ understanding and introducing actions that each citizen can take immediately. She encourages readers to change their behavior. Her articles delve into the impact of climate change on a variety of fields, such as “Earnest Questions from Snowboarders” and “Are Japanese Voters Indifferent to Climate Change?“, and carefully highlight the collaboration of citizens and stakeholders who are speaking out. These articles serve as “awareness” toward solutions, expanding the circle of sympathy and solidarity rather than division. (List of articles by Tomita Sumireko)
<2024 Second Half Individual Award: Ryosuke Matsuzoe, Nikkei Inc.>
In climate change reporting, which is said to be difficult to convey visually, Matsuzoe has written many articles in a new format that combines text, images, and data. In “Scorching Hot Olympics: Marathon could be a Winter Event at the End of the 21st Century with Global Warming” and “Will White Rice and Miso Soup Disappear from the Table in 2100? Climate Change Will Change Everything,” Matsuzoe makes full use of video and visual data to allow readers to clearly imagine the impact of climate change. In the series “Plus 2 Degrees,” which focuses on the crisis looming on business and daily life, he introduces the climate change risks that are becoming apparent around the world, such as “The Sneaking Up Climate Pandemic” and “200 Million Climate Refugees,” including their impact on Japan. Matsuzoe’s ingenious articles will be an opportunity for many readers to get to the heart of the issue.
(List of articles by Ryosuke Matsuzoe)
<2024 Second Half Media Award: J-WAVE>
Through their participation in the UN and media joint campaign “1.5°C Promise – Take action now to stop the temperature rise” and their own project “FUTURE IS YOURS,” J-WAVE has been communicating with listeners about society and the global environment. Just two months after the “Weathercaster Joint Statement on the Climate Crisis,” J-WAVE launched “Action for Climate Change! WEATHER INFORMATION.” The station broadcasts climate change information twice a day during its weather forecast slot (Reference: NHK Bunken blog article). The station is also challenging itself with efforts to connect listeners with companies, such as setting up advertising slots for companies that are committed to climate change countermeasures. Its pioneering communication linking extreme weather and climate change with listeners has become a role model for other media.
<2024 Second Half Media Award: The Japan Agricultural News>
As Japan’s only daily agricultural newspaper, it reports on the impact of climate change on the agricultural field. In “Record-high summer temperatures, production and shipments ‘decreased’“, it conveys the painful voices of farmers who cannot harvest crops due to the heat, and in the “Overcoming the heat” series, it proposes practical measures to deal with extreme heat to farmers. It also raises awareness of decarbonization in the agricultural field. The “Midori GX Lab“, which was launched in July 2024, regularly holds seminars and exchange meetings to solve problems in the production field, involving not only agricultural workers but also various stakeholders such as research and educational institutions, local governments, companies, and consumers. Aiming to be a “consortium for sustainable food and agriculture”, it embodies a problem-solving media. It is a unique media as a guidepost to protect “food” that supports life. (Climate change article list)
<2024 Annual Individual Award: Kai Ichino, Asahi Shimbun>
Ichino’s reporting on climate change is a perfect balance between “fact-based accuracy” and “empathy that reaches people’s hearts.” In “16 young people file lawsuit to fight climate change: ‘Towards a society where the environment and dignity are protected’” and “‘Speaking the voice of the youth’: Students appeal to the Parliament: Energy debate biased towards the elderly and men,” he carefully explains the whole picture of the problem and conveys the earnest appeals of the parties involved to readers. In addition, in his coverage of COP29, he showed Japan’s position in the international trend, such as “The movement toward decarbonization will not stop, what path should Japan choose?“, and unraveled the attitude and measures that are needed now. His honest reporting stance from the citizen’s perspective contributes to “deepening social dialogue” on the issue of climate change, and we can expect his reporting to contribute more and more to solving problems in the future. (List of articles by Kai Ichino)
<2024 Annual Media Award: Weathernews>
As a weather information professional, Weathernews communicates complex climate change issues in a way that is close to everyday life. It appeals to the urgency of the issue through natural phenomena in each season, such as “Cherry Blossom Forecast in 2100” and “Increased risk of heavy snow despite warm winters?“. In the “Global Warming: True or Fake?” series, explained by climate scientist Seita Emori, unravels technical terms such as “1.5 degree target” and “tipping point” from the perspective of the audience. It also conducts “Climate Risk Analysis for Businesses” using abundant weather data, supporting adaptation measures to the impacts of climate change in the business world. Its unique communication, which combines scientific expertise with easy-to-understand information dissemination, plays an important role in improving climate literacy throughout society. (Climate Change Special)
<2024 Annual Media Award: Alterna>
Since its founding in 2007, Alterna has led the way in reporting on climate change as Japan’s first business magazine focused on sustainability. It comprehensively reports on events surrounding this issue from macro and micro perspectives, including “The damage caused by climate change in Japan is starting to become a reality,” “Seven cases where climate change measures have changed consumer behavior,” and “Solution” initiatives. It also focuses on developing sustainable human resources, such as creating a place to learn about ESG management through the “Sustainable Management Academy.” Alterna will continue to lead society as a “promoter of dialogue” that connects practitioners who are committed to solving problems, including citizens, companies, and NGOs. (Climate Change Article List)
<Special Award: Joint Statement by Meteorologist and Weather Casters on the Climate Crisis>
In order to “connect lives and the future,” 44 weather casters throughout Japan, led by Meteorologist Hiroko Ida and Akira Masaki, have come together and issued the Joint Statement by Meteorologist and Weather Casters on the Climate Crisis. It has been announced that they will accelerate “communication connecting weather and climate change” both within and outside the framework of weather forecasting. The response has been great, and collaborations with other industries such as experts, media, medicine, and the J-League have also begun. “#TeamWFCC” was created with supporters as the core, and as a unified action, each of them will send out “Climate Stripe” (Reference: Asahi Shimbun) on the day of the Great Heat in July, and information about COP29 in November. Actions across media such as television and radio have also been created, and further expansion is expected. (Reference: Background of the statement and reports after the statement)
<Series Continuation Award: BS Asahi Earth Crisis>
A special TV series that looks into the current state of global climate change, including wildfires, melting glaciers, and rising sea levels. The first broadcast, “Earth Crisis 2021 ~ Climate Change: A Breaking World ~“, was followed by “Earth Crisis 11th Episode: A Guide to Climate Crisis Transformation ~Five Years Left Until 2030! Where Is Humanity Now?~” in December 2024. After the broadcast, a program digest was distributed, so viewers can access the information at any time. While confronting the seriousness of the problem, the show also focuses on “what we can do” to overcome the global crisis, and continues to provide viewers with a path to the future, including the efforts of young people and companies. The series of a climate change program would not have been possible without the extraordinary efforts and enthusiasm of the program production team. (Earth Crisis Series List)
<Investigative Reporting Award: NHK Special Investigative Reporting New Century File 7 “Blind Spots” in Climate Change Measures>
An investigative reporting program that delves deeply into the contradictions and often overlooked “blind spots” in climate change measures. Through thorough coverage from multiple perspectives, the program uncovers issues with each measure that appear to be progressing on the surface, such as emissions from oil and natural gas industry facilities that are not included in government emissions statistics, and doubts about the effectiveness of carbon credits. Because this program revealed the seriousness of the current situation, it has become possible to seek more fundamental climate change measures. The program’s reporting stance, which combines sharp problem raising and a constructive perspective toward solutions, not only provides information to viewers, but also plays an important role in solving climate change itself, demonstrating the power of journalism to bring about change in society. (Program details)
<Solution Award: Chukai Television Broadcasting>
The first in the cable television industry to participate in the “SDG Media Compact” and “100% Renewable Energy Declaration RE Action“. In 2015, Chukai Television worked with local businesses and local governments to procure electricity from “Local Energy”, a new power company, to decarbonize the company. Chukai also operates a renewable energy sales business under the name “Chukai Electric Power“. By taking advantage of the local connections created by the cable television business, Chukai Television is promoting awareness and increased use of renewable energy, and contributing to the local production and consumption of energy for the sustainable development of the region. In addition to broadcasting programs such as “Road to 2030 – Thinking about the future of our hometown through the SDGs“, Chukai Television’s unique efforts as a community-based media that connects local businesses and citizens are opening up new possibilities in “solving climate change” and “regional revitalization”.
<Solution Journalism Award: IDEAS FOR GOOD>
Established as an idea magazine to make society better, it unearths exciting and positive events such as the latest technologies and social designs from around the world. It delivers a clear response to change, such as “Private high school in the US abolishes investment in fossil fuels due to student appeals” and “2024 Highlights: 10 World Events Toward Solving Climate Change.” In addition, it will start producing a documentary film on the theme of sustainability from 2024 (Repair Cafe). In addition, the co-creation project “Climate Creative” aims to create a social impact, and is expected to have a synergistic effect with practice. Since its launch, it has embodied “solution journalism” and continues to encourage readers by saying, “Hope is created by taking action.” (Climate Change Article List)
We are encouraged by all the award winners who are using their strengths in a variety of fields to spread awareness of climate change. MEDIA IS HOPE Inc. will continue to do our best to ensure that your messages reach as many people as possible!
We hope that this awards ceremony will convey the passion of everyone working to solve climate change issues, and that it will also be an opportunity for audiences such as viewers and readers to feel closer to the media. We hope that this will be a place where the passion of the media and viewers/readers who want to solve the climate change problem can be shared, and that everyone can take home some tips and hope for solving the problem.