Bangkok, Thailand – In response to the pressing challenges of sustainable development in Thailand, including environmental degradation, social inequality, and economic disparities, UNDP Thailand is proud to announce the launch of the ‘UNDP Media Fellowship on Sustainable Development.’ This initiative aims to empower journalists to play a pivotal role in promoting a sustainable and inclusive society.

Journalism is a crucial force in driving societal change, fulfilling roles as an information disseminator, public educator, watchdog, advocate, and agenda setter. The 2023-24 UNDP Human Development Report highlights the critical need for reimagined cooperation among stakeholders in a polarized world where misinformation and fake news are dividing societies. Journalism, therefore, stands as one of the key stakeholders in sustaining a diverse and democratic society.

From 2022 to 2025, UNDP has prioritized three key areas to support Thailand’s advancement towards a green economy, the enhancement of human capital, and the principle of leaving no one behind, including people with disabilities, LGBTI individuals, youth, and ethnic minorities. Our extensive experience across these development areas underscores the critical role of journalism in addressing key societal challenges, linking interconnected development issues, and driving systemic change.

The UNDP Media Fellowship will focus on four thematic areas crucial to sustainable development: disability inclusion, gender equality, nature conservation and climate action, and human rights promotion. These themes are informed by UNDP’s SDG Localization initiative in 15 pilot provinces, which revealed limited awareness of climate change, particularly at the local level, and common challenges related to inequalities across provinces. This data and evidence will serve as valuable resources for journalists in their reporting efforts.

In alignment with the SDG provincial monitoring and a pre-fellowship survey conducted with journalists, the fellowship will address the top three issues journalists wish to deepen their understanding of: nature and climate change, gender inequality, and biases against people with disabilities.

The need to strengthen journalism as a vital institution in combating discrimination and protecting the public interest is well-documented by UNDP studies. A national survey on the experiences of discrimination against LGBTI people in Thailand revealed that 47.5% of LGBTI individuals have faced at least one form of discrimination, including within their families. Additionally, the UNDP's SLAPPs report highlights the risks faced by citizens defending the public interest, with 37% of incidents resulting in violence.

To equip journalists with the tools needed to address misinformation and disinformation, the fellowship will incorporate sessions on these four thematic areas, supported by the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism. This training will provide practical practices for journalists to report with respectful language, ensure accurate information, and address misinformation and disinformation, especially during critical times or emergency situations. The fellowship is designed to complement another training program on crisis communication, focusing specifically on addressing misinformation and disinformation in crises, targeting journalists, government officers, intelligence units, and relevant stakeholders.

The UNDP Media Fellowship offers a unique platform for journalists to deepen their understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals, explore interconnected and cross-cutting development areas, and engage with practitioners, stakeholders, and experts. Through investigative reporting, storytelling, and advocacy, journalists are empowered to amplify the voices of vulnerable populations, challenge city-focused narratives in Thailand’s media landscape, and drive meaningful change in sustainable development and social inclusion.