Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has warned that journalists covering environmental issues are facing mounting threats around the world, from restricted access and censorship to legal harassment, physical violence, detention and even murder. The warning was issued on World Environment Day, 5 June 2026, a date that also marks the anniversary of the 2022 killing of British journalist Dom Phillips and Brazilian Indigenous expert Bruno Pereira in the Brazilian Amazon.
According to RSF, environmental journalism has become more essential than ever as climate change impacts intensify, public interest in environmental harm grows and disinformation spreads. However, the organization says reporters investigating pollution, deforestation, mining, land conflicts and climate disasters often face targeted obstruction designed to silence public-interest reporting.
RSF identified ten recurring barriers that threaten environmental reporting: restricted access to field sites, locked-down public information, threats against sources, online harassment, attacks on newsrooms, abusive lawsuits, violence during demonstrations, detention, death threats and killings, and direct exposure to climate-related risks.
The organization cited recent examples from several countries, including journalists attacked while documenting illegal mining in Ghana, environmental information removed from public platforms in the United States, a blocked environmental investigation in India, threats against sources in Cambodia and an online smear campaign targeting Ukrainian journalist Olena Mudra after her reporting on a controversial wind power project.
RSF also highlighted cases involving newsroom attacks, abusive legal pressure and physical violence. In France, the offices of Midi Libre were attacked after coverage of a public health restriction on oyster sales, while investigative outlet Splann! faced legal pressure following an environmental investigation. In India, journalist Sumit Jha was arrested while covering protests over the clearing of wooded land at the University of Hyderabad.
The report further underlines the extreme risks faced by environmental journalists in conflict-affected or repressive contexts. RSF mentioned Myanmar documentary journalist Shin Daewe, who was imprisoned after working on environmental and civil war-related issues before being released under an amnesty in April 2026.
RSF says protecting environmental journalists is inseparable from defending the public’s right to reliable information. The organization called for stronger safeguards for reporters and media outlets, stressing that meaningful climate action depends on free, independent and safe journalism.
