By Njeri Irungu,
12 March 2026,
Nairobi Kenya.
International conservation newsroom Mongabay has rolled out a new Swahili-language platform, a strategic move aimed at making environmental and climate reporting more accessible to over 200 million speakers across East Africa and beyond.
The platform was introduced during a hybrid event held in Nairobi, convened under the theme “Truth in the Age of Noise: Conservation Journalism, Disinformation and the Promise of Artificial Intelligence.” The gathering attracted close to 200 participants, including journalists, scientists, conservation experts, communicators, representatives from the United Nations Environment Programme, and indigenous community leaders.
Mongabay Africa Director of Programs David Akana said the initiative reflects a growing recognition that local languages are key to effective communication on environmental issues.
He noted that while English remains widely used, many communities across the region engage more naturally in local languages, making Swahili a powerful tool for widening public understanding and participation.
The new platform, he added, is expected to deepen regional conversations on conservation, sustainable development and climate change by making information more relatable and easier to access.
Mongabay’s editorial focus explores the relationship between people and nature, covering topics such as biodiversity loss, pollution, land degradation and ocean conservation, while also spotlighting solutions and accountability in environmental governance.
Veteran journalist and former BBC reporter Ann Ngugi emphasized that access to information is only meaningful when audiences can understand it.
She pointed out that using widely spoken languages like Swahili can bridge critical information gaps, particularly for communities most vulnerable to climate-related risks, and improve preparedness and response.
The event was officiated by Mr Stephen Isaboke, EBS, Principal Secretary, State Department for Broadcasting and Telecommunication , whose remarks were delivered by Information and Broadcasting Secretary Temesi Mukani.
In his statement, Ps Isaboke stressed the need for credible, science-driven journalism in an era where misinformation spreads rapidly, especially across a continent with hundreds of millions of social media users.
He said delivering accurate environmental reporting in widely understood languages would help bring scientific knowledge closer to communities at the frontline of climate and ecological challenges.
Mukani also addressed the dual role of artificial intelligence in modern journalism, noting that while it can be used to generate misleading content, it equally offers opportunities in fact-checking, translation and data processing when applied responsibly.
At the same time, Andy Kagwa of Standard Group called on journalists to adapt to emerging technologies without compromising professional ethics.
He maintained that although AI is reshaping the media landscape, it will not replace journalists, underscoring the continued importance of accuracy, verification and editorial judgment.
Participants at the forum agreed that traditional media remains central to shaping public awareness on conservation issues, but must evolve to remain relevant in a fast-changing and highly competitive digital space.
In addition to Swahili, Mongabay publishes content in several global languages, including English, Indonesian, Spanish and French, as part of its broader mission to expand access to environmental journalism worldwide.