Climate Change Communication and Media The Influence of Videography on Driving Positive Narratives on Climate Change

Abstract

Videographers have played a big role in society by highlighting issues that impact the society either positively or negatively. More recently, videography in East Africa and Kenya has become big business among freelance producers with coverage ranging from weddings, baby showers, funerals, bridal showers, organizational videos, documentaries and business features. Sadly, the rate at which media practitioners and more specifically the rate at which freelance environmental coverage or issues affecting the environment remains scarce for reasons that may not be clear and warrants an empirical investigation. This paper seeks to look at the scope of environmental coverage among videographers in Kitui and their perspectives on environmental conservation. This study will use a qualitative approach with in-depth interviews to explore perceptions, scope and underlying biases around the coverage or lack of it as regards climate. Drawing on the in-depth interviews, the research will look at how the perceptions of videographers and how recommendations can be made to encourage the use of videography in driving narratives on climate change. A picture is worth a thousand words and possibly, it can be said that a video is worth ten thousand words. The study will employ thematic analysis of interviews to check how videography can be used to convey the urgency and the complexity of climate related issues. The findings could be used to enhance climate change initiatives for generations to come.