Jakarta, 25–26 February 2025: ERIA’s Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris brought together environmental journalists from across ASEAN for an event titled ‘Southeast Asia Environmental Journalists Workshop and Networking Event’, held in Jakarta on 25–26 February 2025. This two-day programme aimed to:
1. Equip journalists with knowledge of emerging trends, challenges, and policies in marine plastic pollution in ASEAN through the Knowledge Centre's resources.
2. Enhance journalists’ ability to translate complex scientific research and data into engaging content while strengthening their skills in innovative and impactful storytelling.
3. Raise awareness about marine plastics and foster positive change amongst ASEAN citizens by leveraging the power of media.
Day 1: Strengthening Journalistic and Storytelling Skills
The first day focused on strengthening journalistic skills, offering insights into emerging trends, policy developments, data-driven storytelling, and investigative techniques. The event also served as a platform for regional collaboration amongst journalists covering environmental issues.
The workshop opened with welcome remarks from the Regional Knowledge Centre's Director Reo Kawamura, who emphasised the vital role of journalists in raising awareness and driving public engagement. He underscored the importance of compelling storytelling and effective data presentation in communicating environmental issues to a wider audience.
Following this, Michikazu Kojima, Senior Research Fellow at ERIA, provided an overview of marine plastic pollution in ASEAN. He discussed major sources of plastic waste, existing policy measures, and regional efforts to address the crisis. To reinforce key messages, an interactive quiz tested participants’ knowledge of marine pollution, policy advancements, and environmental data. This session deepened understanding while serving as an engaging icebreaker for the more in-depth discussions ahead.
Ayako Mizuno, Programme Manager at the Regional Knowledge Centre, led the subsequent roundtable discussion, which brought journalists together to share experiences, best practices, and challenges in environmental reporting. Many highlighted difficulties such as limited resources for investigative journalism and low audience engagement with environmental news. Participants explored strategies to overcome these barriers, emphasising the role of strong visuals, citizen journalism, and fact-based storytelling. They also discussed the need to balance data-driven reporting with human-centred narratives, making complex topics like waste management and marine plastic pollution more accessible to the public.
Hands-On Capacity-Building Workshops
The afternoon sessions featured workshops led by investigative journalist and filmmaker Benedict Wermter. The first session, ‘Communicating Science and Complex Data to the Public’, focused on making scientific information engaging and easy to understand. Participants learned techniques for simplifying complex data, integrating storytelling elements, and using visual tools such as infographics and interactive media.
The second session, ‘Innovative Storytelling’, explored emerging digital journalism trends, showcasing how reporters can use multimedia formats, long-form investigative pieces, and audience-driven content strategies to maximise engagement.
Day 2: Visit to the ASEAN Secretariat
On the second day, participants visited the ASEAN Secretariat, where they were welcomed by Lee Yoong Yoong, Director of the Community Affairs Directorate. The visit provided insights into ASEAN’s environmental policies, regional cooperation, and sustainability commitments.
A Q&A session allowed journalists to engage directly with the director, discussing the role of the media in strengthening public awareness and ensuring accountability in environmental governance. The visit concluded with a guided tour of the Secretariat, reinforcing the connection between environmental journalism and regional decision-making.
Fostering Collaboration and Future Efforts
Beyond the formal sessions, the workshop facilitated networking and collaboration. Participants engaged in informal discussions, exchanged ideas, and established professional connections, strengthening a network of journalists dedicated to covering marine plastic pollution and broader environmental issues.
The Southeast Asia Environmental Journalists Workshop contributed to bridging the gap between science and storytelling, ensuring that data-driven journalism remains a driving force in tackling marine plastic pollution. The Knowledge Centre will continue to strengthen the capacity of journalists in the region, providing access to credible research and collaborative opportunities so they can shape the conversation around plastic pollution, translate complex environmental data into compelling narratives, and engage the public with impactful storytelling.
Communication Officer
Jakarta, 25–26 February 2025: ERIA’s Regional Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris brought together environmental journalists from across ASEAN for an event titled ‘Southeast Asia Environmental Journalists Workshop and Networking Event’, held in Jakarta on 25–26 February 2025. This two-day programme aimed to:
1. Equip journalists with knowledge of emerging trends, challenges, and policies in marine plastic pollution in ASEAN through the Knowledge Centre's resources.
2. Enhance journalists’ ability to translate complex scientific research and data into engaging content while strengthening their skills in innovative and impactful storytelling.
3. Raise awareness about marine plastics and foster positive change amongst ASEAN citizens by leveraging the power of media.
Day 1: Strengthening Journalistic and Storytelling Skills
The first day focused on strengthening journalistic skills, offering insights into emerging trends, policy developments, data-driven storytelling, and investigative techniques. The event also served as a platform for regional collaboration amongst journalists covering environmental issues.
The workshop opened with welcome remarks from the Regional Knowledge Centre's Director Reo Kawamura, who emphasised the vital role of journalists in raising awareness and driving public engagement. He underscored the importance of compelling storytelling and effective data presentation in communicating environmental issues to a wider audience.
Following this, Michikazu Kojima, Senior Research Fellow at ERIA, provided an overview of marine plastic pollution in ASEAN. He discussed major sources of plastic waste, existing policy measures, and regional efforts to address the crisis. To reinforce key messages, an interactive quiz tested participants’ knowledge of marine pollution, policy advancements, and environmental data. This session deepened understanding while serving as an engaging icebreaker for the more in-depth discussions ahead.
Ayako Mizuno, Programme Manager at the Regional Knowledge Centre, led the subsequent roundtable discussion, which brought journalists together to share experiences, best practices, and challenges in environmental reporting. Many highlighted difficulties such as limited resources for investigative journalism and low audience engagement with environmental news. Participants explored strategies to overcome these barriers, emphasising the role of strong visuals, citizen journalism, and fact-based storytelling. They also discussed the need to balance data-driven reporting with human-centred narratives, making complex topics like waste management and marine plastic pollution more accessible to the public.
Hands-On Capacity-Building Workshops
The afternoon sessions featured workshops led by investigative journalist and filmmaker Benedict Wermter. The first session, ‘Communicating Science and Complex Data to the Public’, focused on making scientific information engaging and easy to understand. Participants learned techniques for simplifying complex data, integrating storytelling elements, and using visual tools such as infographics and interactive media.
The second session, ‘Innovative Storytelling’, explored emerging digital journalism trends, showcasing how reporters can use multimedia formats, long-form investigative pieces, and audience-driven content strategies to maximise engagement.
Day 2: Visit to the ASEAN Secretariat
On the second day, participants visited the ASEAN Secretariat, where they were welcomed by Lee Yoong Yoong, Director of the Community Affairs Directorate. The visit provided insights into ASEAN’s environmental policies, regional cooperation, and sustainability commitments.
A Q&A session allowed journalists to engage directly with the director, discussing the role of the media in strengthening public awareness and ensuring accountability in environmental governance. The visit concluded with a guided tour of the Secretariat, reinforcing the connection between environmental journalism and regional decision-making.
Fostering Collaboration and Future Efforts
Beyond the formal sessions, the workshop facilitated networking and collaboration. Participants engaged in informal discussions, exchanged ideas, and established professional connections, strengthening a network of journalists dedicated to covering marine plastic pollution and broader environmental issues.
The Southeast Asia Environmental Journalists Workshop contributed to bridging the gap between science and storytelling, ensuring that data-driven journalism remains a driving force in tackling marine plastic pollution. The Knowledge Centre will continue to strengthen the capacity of journalists in the region, providing access to credible research and collaborative opportunities so they can shape the conversation around plastic pollution, translate complex environmental data into compelling narratives, and engage the public with impactful storytelling.
Communication Officer
