A lot is going on in Qatar National Convention Center (QNCC) these days, and the world wouldn’t know about it if it wasn’t for one key link on the chain: media. Over 1,500 journalists are accredited to cover the UN climate change conference in Doha, and their work is essential to the process, just as much as that of delegates, nongovernmental organizations, ministers and other parties involved.
Keeping record of what is really happening in the halls of QNCC is a difficult task that not all can accomplish. Lack of time, impossibility to be in two places at once, are important obstacles. Jokes aside, there is much more to a journalist’s job than that of attending a press conference, and a big challenge attached to the job is gaining the trust of potential sources in a record time.
Professionals specialised in environmental or scientific reporting have a great advantage, as well as those who have attended previous conferences of the parties addressing climate change. These reporters know well how to prioritise and are in a unique position to compare the Doha summit with previous ones.
The media space for the press in Qatar’s convention center is located in hall 9, the last one in the ground floor. It takes approximately 15 minutes to walk from if to, for instance, hall number 3, where delegations are located, almost at the beginning of the corridor.
The space for media is big and well equipped with plenty of computers, and numerous booths for television and radio stations, as well as news agencies from different countries.
The hall is usually not very busy, evidently because journalists are on the hunt for an exclusive story. All the same, professionals from all over the world gather there, becoming a representation, in small-scale, of the UN.
Ciro Di Costanzo, from Excélsior newspaper from Mexico City, has covered previous conferences in Cancun (Mexico, 2010) and Durban (South Africa, 2011). He explained that the first week of the meeting is valuable to lay the foundation for agreements, which will “hopefully” be reached during the second week, especially from December 5, when the high level negotiations begin. “If there is important news, they will be given during the second week, even though the hard work was the first week,” he added.
It’s not the first visit to the Middle East for Di Costanzo, and he thinks that matters concerning the region have not been sufficiently addressed. “This generates scepticism, people wonder if there is really a commitment with the environment and the reduction of emissions,” he stated.
The presidency is in charge of boosting negotiations, “I hope that in the end there is an agreement to extend the commitment period of Kyoto Protocol and raise the level of ambition to decrease emissions”, added this Mexican journalist. While regarding activism of NGO’s in COP18, he said that “there is none”.
It’s not the first COP for Raoul Antoine Siemeni, of Afrique Environment Plus, who was also present in Durban. His view is clear: “parties seem tired”. This journalist from Congo stated that, “so far, the conference is not very attractive”, while he wondered how many more COPs can be held. “Delegates need to reach solutions fast, they can’t go on for ever. If the house is on fire, conferences aren’t the answer,” he added.
On his past experience in COP17, he remembers that countries were also very tired back then. “Canada and Japan said no to the Kyoto Protocol. Ultimately, if there is no disposition to limit emissions; there is no solution,” he concluded.
Victor Edgardo Ingrassi works for La Nación in Buenos Aires (Argentina). In his opinion the first week serves as a meeting point for delegates. During this time the press has access to scientific reports that serve as a pressure mode for delegates to close deals related to studies that are “more dark and catastrophic every year”.
Ingrassi worked in Durban for COP17, back then talks were extended two extra days because there was no agreement. “Delegates, secretaries of environment and ministers literally fell asleep on the tables in the morning, after staying up all night negotiating. That is not positive for discussions or for COPs in general,” he said.
Even though it’s his first time in Qatar, this Argentinean journalist has noticed that the country is very secure and respectful. On this basis, he said that “perhaps that’s why NGO’s haven’t been more participative or visible. There are no events in the street, outside the convention center for citizens to approach and find out what’s going on,” he added.
David Zhang, from People’s Daily, official newspaper of China’s communist party, said that “Qatar has created a very comfortable environment, people from the whole world feel amazed, and it has been a great experience”.
All journalists agree that more public pressure would contribute to negotiations moving forward faster. Media professionals feel responsible for raising awareness about environmentalism and the legacy left behind for generations to come.
The Peninsula
