Magda Łucyan, renowned journalist with TVN and TVN24, has recently been honored with the Radio ZET Andrzej Woyciechowski Award for 'Journalist for the Planet.' This prestigious accolade celebrates journalists committed to addressing climate issues responsibly and innovatively through their reporting.
Awarded during the ceremony held on February 26, 2025, in Warsaw, Łucyan’s recognition stems from her impactful series titled 'Conversations About the End of the World.' This program addresses pressing ecological problems and the looming threats of climate change. During her acceptance speech, Łucyan articulated her aspiration, stating, "I have a dream of stopping hosting this program, for it to no longer be needed." Her words reflect both her deep concern over the current climate crisis and her hope for substantial political action.
Łucyan’s remarks echoed throughout the event, emphasizing the dire state of the environment: "Perhaps for some, 'Journalist for the Planet' may sound abstract; for me, it is the most beautiful thing in the world." Her commitment to climate journalism is also exemplified by her previous recognitions, including the 'Journalist of the Year' award from the Polish Wind Energy Association and special acknowledgment at the Healthy Cities Congress. Clearly, her work resonates well beyond the media industry.
Each year, the award is conferred upon individuals who demonstrate dedication to climate responsibility, underpinned by reliability, impartiality, and innovative storytelling. This year, Łucyan was not the only nominee; Szymon Bujalski, known for his independent journalism, and Katarzyna Kojzar from OKO.press were also honored for their contributions to climate journalism. Commenting on the challenges for journalists like Łucyan, Dr. Agnieszka Liszka-Dobrowolska, co-founder of Climate&Strategy Foundation, noted, "It is not easy to be a journalist for the planet in Poland."
Dr. Liszka-Dobrowolska emphasized how the media plays an influential role: "We have wonderful, professional, persistent, and talented journalists who understand climate change." It's imperative, especially as public misconceptions linger; research shows 52% of Poles erroneously believe climate change is not human-induced, underscoring the necessity of accurate, clear communication from the media.
During her acceptance speech, Łucyan also highlighted the various climatic extremes Poland has faced, such as prolonged droughts, extreme floods, and record-breaking temperatures. She pointed out, "The time to act is now." Her statements serve as both warnings and calls to action, urging for immediate and effective responses to environmental challenges.
While receiving the award, Łucyan committed not only to continuing her series but to striving for real change, saying, "I'm hoping to declare one day: there will be no end, because politicians have understood and started acting." This sentiment encapsulates the spirit behind the award—aligning journalism with climate action and future-oriented strategies.
The ceremony celebrated not just Łucyan's achievement but the collective effort of journalists working tirelessly to affect positive environmental change. The 'Journalist for the Planet' award, newly created just two years ago, aims to inspire and urge fellow journalists to take part boldly in the fight against climate change.
With the Climate&Strategy Foundation supporting such initiatives, the groundwork is being laid for future journalists to raise their voices against misinformation and for climate accountability. Magda Łucyan’s recognition reflects the potential journalism holds to shape the narrative around climate issues, pressing the urgency of informed dialogue now more than ever.
By uplifting voices like Łucyan’s, we can hope to see continued attention to environmental matters, where responsible journalism doesn’t merely report on climate-induced calamities but advocates for proactive solutions to avert them.
With laureates exemplifying such commitment, the future of environmental journalism appears bright. The challenge remains, but with dedicated journalists like Magda Łucyan at the forefront, there is hope for constructing narratives filled with both truth and possibility.