Innovation Meets Advocacy: REJ Members Leverage Digital Media for Environmental Conservation

From November 24 to 27, 2024, Rwanda Environmental Journalists (REJ) members gathered in Muhanga District for an enriching three-day training on Introduction to Digital Journalism and Multimedia Storytelling. The program covered essential topics such as mastering tools for creating and editing multimedia content and best practices in social media strategy, all tailored to environmental reporting. The training was not only educational but also profoundly inspiring for the participants, who left with new skills, fresh perspectives, and a renewed passion for their craft.

Here are their reflections:

“With 22 years of experience in mainstream journalism, specializing in environmental and science reporting, it was a great honor to learn new digital media skills, particularly the use of modern multimedia applications. What stood out for me, however, was the opportunity to share my own insights and experiences with young, aspiring journalists. Guiding them on how to effectively cover environmental stories was immensely fulfilling.”Daniel Sabiiti

“This training opened my eyes to the productive use of social media in promoting sustainable environmental practices. I learned to move beyond random posts to creating content that genuinely impacts how people view and interact with the environment. The highlight was our visit to Rwanda Broadcasting Agency (RBA), where we witnessed how digital media is leveraged to amplify messages. I’m incredibly thankful to REJ for giving us, as students, this incredible opportunity to gain knowledge and learn from professionals in the field.” Ineza Umutoni Nadia

“Before this training, I believed digital journalism required expensive tools like professional microphones, cameras, and advanced editing software. This training, however, changed my perspective entirely. I discovered that a smartphone is more than enough to create quality videos, photos, and audio using applications like CapCut, VN, and Canva. This newfound knowledge will make reporting on environmental issues more accessible and immediate. I also learned to present messages visually, using graphics to summarize complex ideas instead of writing long stories, an essential skill in today’s fast-paced world where audiences often lack time for lengthy reads. This training has reinforced my commitment to protecting the environment, as pollution remains one of the most pressing global challenges.” Bardine Iratuzi

“What I took away from this training is that high-quality journalism does not rely on expensive equipment. It’s about creativity, storytelling, and making the most of the tools you have. Using just a smartphone, I learned to create engaging content videos, infographics, and photos and share it effectively on social media. The emphasis on real-time reporting was particularly valuable, as it highlighted the importance of being timely and relevant in today’s fast-moving digital landscape. I feel more empowered to use these skills to tell impactful environmental stories in the future. Elissa Nsabimana 

“The three-day training completely transformed how I approach environmental reporting. I previously thought compelling stories required expensive tools, but now I understand that creativity and resourcefulness are far more important. Armed with just a smartphone and apps like Canva and CapCut, I can produce engaging content that resonates with audiences. The focus on using social media and data visualization to make environmental issues more visible was particularly eye-opening. I feel equipped and excited to apply these digital skills in my daily work, making environmental journalism more accessible and impactful.” Emmanuel Mutangana

“I always assumed impactful digital journalism required costly resources, such as high-end phones and equipment. This training shattered that belief. I now know that I can craft meaningful environmental stories with my own phone and share them widely using social media. This realization has transformed how I view my role as an environmental journalist.” Ayera Belyne

“Attending this workshop reignited my enthusiasm for creating impactful content on social media. I learned to use digital tools in innovative ways to inform and educate people about environmental conservation. I’m deeply grateful to REJ for this opportunity and confident that it will greatly enhance my environmental reporting.” Ntagara Delphine

“As a journalist with Imvaho Nshya, this was my first experience training with REJ members. Previously, I would occasionally report on environmental topics, but this training highlighted their critical importance in our daily lives. I gained valuable skills in using digital platforms to provide real-time updates and engage with audiences. Visiting the RBA digital team was particularly insightful; it underscored the importance of adapting to digital platforms to stay relevant in journalism. I now understand how to use my phone to capture impactful photos and videos to enrich my storytelling.” Shifah Muteterazina

“The training provided me with a wealth of knowledge. For instance, I learned how to publish an article on environmental topics without using too many words. Before this training, my articles were often overly wordy.

I also gained skills in using tools like CapCut and Adobe, including:Creating high-quality audio and using graphics to summarize articles effectivelyWith these new skills, I will be able to publish environmental articles more quickly and efficiently.”Jean Marie Vianney Ntaganira

“The training I attended on utilizing digital tools for journalism was highly insightful, particularly in demonstrating how to leverage existing technological resources to report on environmental issues effectively.

The environment encompasses all living and nonliving elements and their interactions that influence human life. Living, or biotic, components include animals, plants, forests, fisheries, and birds, while non-living, or abiotic, components consist of water, land, sunlight, rocks, and air.

The Rwanda Environmental Journalists (REJ) management team illustrated how even the simplest technological tools can be harnessed to create impactful environmental stories. This emphasis on resourcefulness underscored the importance of maintaining professionalism and momentum in journalistic reporting.

I am deeply grateful for the four days of training and sincerely hope that similar opportunities will be organized in the future to further enhance our skills and understanding.” Jean Pierre Nizeyimana

“This transformative training reinforced the value of creativity and adaptability in environmental journalism. The participants left equipped not just with new technical skills but also with a deeper understanding of their critical role in advocating for environmental conservation. They are now ready to use these tools to create meaningful change in their reporting and beyond.

The training was extremely important. Before, I didn’t see Digital Journalism as something I would necessarily need to share stories, as I was already writing articles, and people were reading them.

However, after the training, I realized I had been mistaken. Digital Journalism is highly relevant because it facilitates the quick dissemination of information in a format that is more accessible to the intended audience. It is an excellent way to convey information about environmental issues. I also used to think that this modern form of journalism required sophisticated equipment, but that’s not the case. The visit we made to RBA was further proof of what we learned during the training, and it strengthened my resolve to embrace Digital Journalism.

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to REJ and its partners for this opportunity.” Jean Claude Munyantore

“Before the training, I believed that digital journalism required costly equipment such as microphones, cameras for photos and videos, and computers for editing. However, I now realize that even a smartphone is enough to produce high-quality audio, videos, and photos. With the help of user-friendly applications like CapCut, VN, and Canva, I can create and edit multimedia content effectively.

This knowledge has empowered me to report on environmental issues more efficiently. From now on, all I need to tell impactful stories is my smartphone.” Eduque Isingizwe

The training concluded with participants empowered and inspired to amplify environmental issues through digital journalism. Equipped with practical skills and the realization that impactful storytelling doesn’t require costly tools, REJ members are now ready to create engaging, accessible content using their smartphones.

This transformative program highlighted the power of innovation and adaptability in addressing global challenges. The Rwanda Environmental Journalists network extends its heartfelt gratitude to Fojo Media Institute for supporting this transformative initiative.