saving a precious lake through the media › sites › default › files › attachments ›...

i

SAVING A PRECIOUS LAKE THROUGH THE MEDIA:

A DOSSIER OF THE PRESS COVERAGE OF

LAKE NATRON CAMPAIGN

(2006 - 2009)

By

Ken Mwathe1 and Ken Wafula

August, 2009

1 Coordinator Lake Natron Consultative Group, BirdLife International Africa Partnership Secretariat, P.O Box 3502 Nairobi 00100, Tel +254-20- +254 (0)20 2473259, Email [email protected]

Lake Natron Consultative Group

Photo: James Warwick

FUNDED BY: HORN OF AFRICA REGIONAL ENVIRONMENT CENTRE AND NETWORK

ii

Table of ContentsExecutive Summary ..................................................................................................................................... vi

1. Background ...........................................................................................................................................1

1.1. The Lake Natron Consultative Group ...........................................................................................2

1.2. Stakeholders Concerns..................................................................................................................3

2. Sources of press reports ........................................................................................................................3

2.1 Print Media..........................................................................................................................................3

2.2 Electronic Media .................................................................................................................................3

2.3 Press conference on 5th May, 2008 ..................................................................................................... 4

2.4 Results of the press coverage ..............................................................................................................4

3 The press reports ........................................................................................................................................6

4 Analysis of Press coverage ......................................................................................................................27

4.1 Analysis by country ..........................................................................................................................27

4.2 Analysis by tone................................................................................................................................28

4.2.1 Definition of tone ...............................................................................................................................28

4.2.2 General Analysis of tone....................................................................................................................28

4.2.3 Tone of Articles in Kenya ..................................................................................................................28

4.2.4 Tone of Articles in Tanzania..............................................................................................................29

4.2.5 Tone of Articles in other countries ....................................................................................................29

4.3 Analysis by year................................................................................................................................30

4.4 Analysis by year and country............................................................................................................30

4.4.1 Analysis in Kenya by year .........................................................................................................30

4.4.2 Analysis in Tanzania by year .....................................................................................................31

4.4.3 Analysis in other countries by year............................................................................................31

iii

5 Extracts from the press coverage .............................................................................................................32

6 Impacts of the media and publicity campaign..........................................................................................33

7 Conclusions..............................................................................................................................................34

Annex 1: The Press Release of 5th May, 2008. ...........................................................................................35

Annex 2a: Hard copies of Press stories from Kenya..................................................................................38

Annex 2b: Hard copies of Press stories from Tanzania .............................................................................39

Annex 2c: Hard copies of Press stories from other countries .....................................................................40

List of Figures

Figure 1: Lake Natron Map........................................................................................................................... 1

Figure 2: Lake Natron Press Conference underway in Nairobi .................................................................... 4

Figure 3: How the Daily Nation captured the story ......................................................................................5

Figure 4 Analysis of press coverage by country .........................................................................................27

Figure 5 Analysis by tone ...........................................................................................................................28

Figure 6 Tone in Kenya ..............................................................................................................................28

Figure 7 Tone in Tanzania ..........................................................................................................................29

Figure 8 Tone in Other countries ................................................................................................................29

Figure 9 Analysis by year ...........................................................................................................................30

Figure 10 Articles in Kenya by year ...........................................................................................................30

Figure 11 Analysis by year in Tanzania......................................................................................................31

Figure 12 Analysis by year in other countries ............................................................................................31

iv

List of Tables

Table 1: The Lake Natron Consultative Group Institutions.........................................................................2

Table 2: Press reports in Kenya ...................................................................................................................6

Table 3: Press reports in Tanzania .............................................................................................................14

Table 4: Press reports in Other Countries ..................................................................................................20

v

Acronyms and Abbreviations

BBC British Broadcasting Corporation

ESIA Environmental and Social Impact Assessment

IBA Important Bird Area

KBC Kenya Broadcasting Corporation

KTN Kenya Television Network

RSPB Royal Society for the Protection of Birds

The Group Lake Natron Consultative Group

UK United Kingdom

USA United States of America

VOA Voice of America

vi

Executive Summary

Tata Chemicals limited and the Tanzania government proposed to establish a soda ash extraction plant at Lake Natron in northern Tanzania capable of producing 500,000 metric tons annually with an intricate infrastructure to support it. The establishment of the plant could lead to the extinction of the Lesser Flamingo in East Africa, which largely breeds at the Lake. The neighboring pastoral communities could be affected by the construction of the plant as they rely on the lake ecosystem for their livelihoods. In order to protect the integrity of the lake and the community members’ livelihoods, the Lake Natron Consultative Group (The Group) and BirdLife International used the print and electronic media in the campaign to stop the construction of the soda ash plant.

This report gives progress on the campaign by tracing sources of stories and other forms of coverage from local, regional and international press. The coverage was extracted from newspapers, magazines, journals, bulletins, television, radio and website reports. The report covers press stories that featured between 2006 and 2009.

The coverage was analyzed by tone, country and year of publication. Analysis of tone indicates that out of the 156 press reports, 82% (n=128) were positive to the campaign; 16 % (ń=25) were neutral and 2 % negative. Positive tone articles were those whose content fully favored the campaign and condemned the soda ash project. Neutral tone articles were those that tried tobalance the views for and against the project while negative tone articles are those whose contents were inclined towards supporting the soda ash project.

Analysis by country indicates that 45 % (n=70) of all the articles were received from Kenya, Tanzania had 30 % (n=48) and the rest of the countries ( including U.K, U.S.A., India, and South Africa) contributed 25% of all the press articles.

Analysis by year shows that 61 % (ń=91) of all the press articles were recorded in 2008 while 36 % (ń=54) of the press articles were received in 2007. On the same note, 2006 and 2009, recorded 1% and 2 % of the press articles respectively.

The key outcome of the media and publicity campaign was the withdrawal of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment report by Tata Chemicals limited which gave a temporary reprieve to Lake Natron, its flamingos and the local community. It is gratifying to note that most of the press reports were positive since the press was convinced by the arguments put forward by The Group and BirdLife against the soda ash mining proposal.

1

1. Background

The Government of Tanzania in collaboration with Tata Chemicals Ltd (TCL) of Mumbai, Indiaand the Tanzania National Development Corporation proposed to establish of a soda ash extraction plant at Lake Natron. The lake basin is situated in Ngorongoro and Monduli districts within the Arusha region, in northern Tanzania near the Kenya-Tanzania border (Fig 1).

Tata Chemicals, which also owns majority shares in Magadi Soda Company in Kenya, proposed to construct the plant capable of producing 500,000 metric tons annually and will have an intricate infrastructure to support it. The project was to be implemented through Lake Natron Resources Limited, a company jointly formed by TCL and Tanzania’s National Development Corporation.

It was feared that the establishment of the plant could lead to the extinction of the Lesser Flamingo in East Africa. Nearly all the 1.5-2.5 million Lesser Flamingos in East Africa (75% of the global population) are hatched at Lake Natron. Lake Natron is also important internationally as a Ramsar site and an Important Bird Area (IBA).

Figure 1: Lake Natron Map

2

1.1. The Lake Natron Consultative Group

Lake Natron Consultative Group (a consortium of 49 institutions as at June, 2009) listed below, was formed to raise global awareness on the threats and risks posed by the soda ash proposal. This report documents the press coverage and publicity that was generated during the campaign between 2006 and 2009. The list of Lake Natron Consultative Group as at June 2009 is provided in Table 1.

Table 1: The Lake Natron Consultative Group Institutions

1. East African Wildlife Society (EAWLS) (KENYA)

18.Forum for Environment (ETHIOPIA) 35.A Rocha Kenya (KENYA)

2. Nature Kenya (KENYA) 19.Horn of Africa - Regional Environment Centre/Network, AAU (ETHIOPIA)

36.Rift Valley Explorations (University of Leicester (UK)

3. BirdLife International - Africa Partnership Secretariat (UK, KENYA)

20.Djibouti Nature (DJIBOUTI) 37.Environmental Defender Law Centre, USA

4African Conservation Centre (ACC) (KENYA)

21.The Heritage Society (USA) 38.Sudanese Environmental Conservation Society (SECS) (SUDAN)

5Youth For Conservation (KENYA) 22.Game Rangers Association of Africa (SOUTH AFRICA)

39.Arsi Negelle Concern for Environment & Development, CRV (ETHIOPIA)

6. South Rift Association of Landowners (SORALO) (KENYA)

23.Maa Civil Society Forum 40.Selam Environmental Development Association (ETHIOPIA)

7.Kenya Wetlands Forum (KWF) (KENYA) 24.Lake Naivasha Riparian Association (KENYA)

41.Nature Somaliland (SOMALILAND)

8.Centre for Minority Rights Development (CEMIRIDE) (KENYA)

25.American Council For Wildlife Preservation 42.SEO/BirdLife (SPAIN)

9.Kenya Community Based Tourism Network (KECOBAT) (KENYA)

26.PIBI Biological Research Foundation (USA) 43.Movement for Ecological Learning and Community Action (MELCA) (ETHIOPIA)

10.Environnemental Liaison Centre International (ELCI) (KENYA)

27.Kenya Alliance of Residents Association (KENYA)

44.Ecogeneration (KOREA)

11.Centre for Education and Research in Environmental Law (CREEL) (KENYA)

28.Kenya Water and Sanitation Network (KEWASNET) (KENYA)

45.Korean Federation for Environmental Movements, (KOREA)

12.Wildlife Clubs of Kenya (WCK) (KENYA) 29.Ecotourism Kenya (KENYA) 46.Union de Ornithologos (COSTA RICA)

13.Ethiopia Wildlife and Natural History Society (EWNHS) (ETHIOPIA)

30.Ilkisongo Pastoralist Initiatives (IPI), Monduli & Longido Tanzania

47.The Ethiopian Heritage Trust (ETHIOPIA)

14.Born Free Foundation (UK, KENYA) 31.Journalists Environmental Association of Tanzania (JET) (TANZANIA)

48.Stay Green Foundation (THE GAMBIA)

15.Uganda Wildlife Society (UGANDA) 32.Miliru-Bushi Organization Kenya (MIBOK) (KENYA)

49.The PAMS Foundation (TANZANIA)

16.Nature Uganda (UGANDA) 33.Wildlife for Sustainable Development (ETHIOPIA)

17.Lawyers Environmental Action Team (LEAT) (TANZANIA)

34.Wildlife Conservation Society (USA, TANZANIA)

3

1.2. Stakeholders Concerns

The proposed construction of a soda ash plant at Lake Natron raised a lot of concerns among environmentalists, local communities and the donor community. The main concerns were:

The establishment of the plant could lead to the extinction of the lesser flamingo in East Africa; This could be as a result of intensive disturbance, change in chemical composition of the water, installation of a network of grid creating obstacles for chicks and predation

The proposed project would consume huge amounts of fresh water and could therefore create a water crisis in the border area and deplete the resource from springs, rivers and wetlands. As things stand, the water supply is not sufficient to meet domestic, wildlife and livestock needs in the area and the proposed plant would completely destabilize any existing balance.

The proposed plant would lead to an influx of people leading to increased air and water pollution; general environmental degradation and permanent loss of the natural condition of the land.

The impacts of the local extinction of Lesser Flamingos could be enormous and far reaching; it could lead to unprecedented damage to the tourism industry in the East African region. The display of the Lesser Flamingos has been described as the “greatest ornithologicalSpectacle”. Tourism contributes at least 12% Gross Domestic Product in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

The project could damage biodiversity in a bigger shared ecosystem which links to key protected areas in both Kenya and Tanzania. These include; Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Serengeti National Park, Maasai Mara National Reserve, Amboseli National Park and the Loita Forest.

The details of the campaign may be viewed at:

http://www.BirdLife.org/action/campaigns/lake_natron_flamingos/index.html

2. Sources of press reports

The sources of stories and articles during the campaign were from newspapers, magazines, bulletins, websites, radio and TV stations at local, regional and international levels.

2.1 Print Media

Examples of the print media that carried stories were: The Observer (UK), The Guardian (UK), The Guardian (Tanzania), Hindustan Times (India), The Cape Times (South Africa), Selamta Magazine (Ethiopian) The Reuters, The East African newspaper (Kenya), The Daily news(Tanzania), among others.

2.2 Electronic Media

The radio stations included; the British Broadcasting Corporation, Voice of America and a host of local stations in Kenya such as Capital FM, Bibilia Husema, Classic 105, Hope FM, Kiss 100,

4

Radio Salaam, The Radio Star, Waumini Radio and Radio Umoja. Examples of TV stations that carried the stories include; NTV (Kenya), Aljazeera, ITV (Tanzania), K24, Kenya Broadcasting Corporation, Kenya Television Network (Kenya).

2.3 Press conference on 5th May, 2008

The Lake Natron Consultative Group held an International press conference at Hotel Intercontinental in Nairobi on 5th May 2008 to renew its campaign to stop the construction of a soda ash plant at Lake Natron by Tata Chemicals Ltd. The press conference was attended by 28 journalists from the local and International Media and 10 members from The Group. (Fig. 2) It sought to invigorate the campaign for Lake Natron with a view to push for the abandonment of the soda ash plant plans. The press conference led to a renewed call for the stoppage of the soda ash plant plans. The press statement that was released during the press conference is presented in

Annex 1.

Figure 2: Lake Natron Press Conference underway in Nairobi

2.4 Results of the press coverage

The Coordinator of the Group was invited by NTV for an interview on 6th May, 2008 during the 7 am Breakfast Show. The live interview came after a news item on Lake Natron drawn from the press statement released the previous day. Immediately after the news item, he had a 7-10 minute discussion with the host in which he explained the issue, strategy and future plans. The full airing of this interview was again done at 9 am same day.

5

Thereafter other media houses covered the campaign as indicated in the table within this report: The media houses included: Capital FM, Bibilia Husema, Ken TV, Classic 105, Hope FM, Kiss 100, Radio Salaam, The Radio Star, Waumini Radio, Radio Umoja, K24, KBC, and KTN. Others who later aired the program were BBC Radio and Aljazeera T.V. The Daily Nation had a story on page 8 and a photo on page 28 (Fig 3)

Figure 3: How the Daily Nation captured the story

The cost of the stories that came out after the press conference on 5th May, 2008 was estimated by experts. It was estimated that if the Group and BirdLife were to pay for them it would have cost US $17,720, out of which electronic and print media would have cost US $ 9,364 and US$ 8,355, respectively. Except for the costs of hosting the participants during the press conference, the coverage was largely free of charge. This was as a result of cooperation among the partners especially The Group, Nature Kenya and BirdLife International, with funding from the Horn of Africa Regional Environment Centre and Network.

6

3 The press reports

Below is the full list of the press reports received during the Lake Natron campaign. The reports are from; Kenya (Table 2), Tanzania (Table 3) and Other Countries (Table 4). The Hard copies of the actual stories are annexed to this report. Kenya (Annex 2a), Tanzania (Annex 2b) and other countries (Annex 2c).

Table 2: Press reports in Kenya

S.No.Press & Institution

Country Title Date

Website Tone

1. Sunday Nation Kenya Reasons why Kenya should oppose the Tanzanian soda ash project

01.08.07 [email protected] Positive

2. Cemiride Update Kenya lake natron; proposed soda ash mining will threaten livelihood of indigenous communities

01.10.07 Positive

3. The Pastoralist Post

Kenya Indigenous people: lake natron proposed soda ash mining will threaten livelihood of indigenous communities

01.11.07 Positive

4. Environment Liaison Center International

Kenya Soda ash development threatens entire east African lesser flamingo population

03.07.07 Http://www.elci.org/pdfs/lake_natron.pdf

Positive

5. The Leader Kenya Lobby appeals over planed lake natron soda ash plant; factory could adversely affect the lakes ecosystem

03.08.07

09.08.07

Positive

6. Business Daily Kenya Environmental groups oppose soda ash project:lake natron plant would pose danger to flamingoes

04.07.07 Positive

7


Country Title Date

Website Tone

says conservationists

7. East African Kenya Dar annoys neighbors over $400 soda ash project

05.11.07

11.11.07

Www.theeastafrican.co.ke/news/-/2558/256646

Positive

8. Daily Nation Kenya Tanzanian project that could wipe out Kenya’sflamingoes

07.11.07 Positive

9. Ipp Media Kenya E a lawyers lobby j k(Jakaya Kikwete) over soda ash factory

20.07. 07 Http://ippmedia.com/ipp/guardian/2007/07/20/94792.html

Positive

10.The East African Kenya Soda ash Project could endanger flamingos

23.07.07

29.07.07

Www.nationmedia.com Positive

11.The Financial Standard

Kenya

Who is Rattan Tata?

14.08.07 Neutral

12.Business Daily Kenya Experts step up fight against plan for lake natron factory

14.08.07 Positive

13.The East African Kenya $450m soda ash project still on

27.08.07

02.09.07

Negative

14.Public Notice By EAWS

Kenya Lake natron: implications of the proposed soda ash project; by the lake natron consultative group

13.09.07 Positive

15.The East African Kenya Lake natron resources ltd will set up a processing plant with a capacity of 500,000 metric tons per annum

27.09.07 Neutral

8


Country Title Date

Website Tone

16.Kenya Times Kenya Groups oppose Tanzaniaproject

17.10.07 Positive

17.The East African Kenya Dar floats tender for six blocks

22.10.07

28.10.07

Neutral

18.The East African:


Kenya Lake natron: why soda ash plant plans should be halted

29.10.07 positive

19.Sunday Nation Kenya Protecting species: Kenyashould oppose lake natron project.

11.08.07 Positive

20.Business Daily Kenya New assessment ordered on l. Natron soda ash project

14.11.07 Positive

21.Komba Magazine

Kenya

Lake in crisis: lake natron

27-11-07 www.rspb.org.uk

www.petition.pm.gov.uk/flamingos/

Positive

22.Daily Nation;


Kenya Threat to the integrity of lake natron and tourism and community livelihoods in Eastern Africa

12.07.07 Positive

23.The People Daily Kenya Environment: tourism and lives under threat from soda ash firm

12.07.07 Positive

9


Country Title Date

Website Tone

24.Sunday Nation Kenya Kenya should oppose L.Natron project

12.08.07 Email:[email protected] Positive

25.The East African Kenya Should natron go the magadi way just for cash?

21.02.08

01.03.08

Http://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/opored/comment/./434750/533114/./a4rule/./index.htm

Positive

26.Ecoforum Kenya Tata exits: has flamingo beauty triumphed over the $450 million project?

15.04.08 Www.koan.co.ke

Www.elci.org

Positive

27.Ecoforum Kenya All for the pink colored beauties

15.04.08 Www.koan.co.ke

Www.elci.org

Positive

28.Birdlife International, Africa E.Bulletin Article

Kenya Saving a precious lake: the genesis and progress of lake natron advocacy

05.03.08 Positive

29.E- Bulletin


Kenya The Battle for Lake Natron and Lesser flamingos:taking the advocacy a notch higher

05.03.08 [email protected] Positive

30.Business Daily Kenya Group to give update on planned soda ash project

05.05.08 Positive

31.Reuters Kenya Tanzania says soda plant will not harm flamingos

05.05.08 Http://africa.reuters.com Positive

32.Lake Natron Consultative Group , Press

Kenya Lake natron consultative group condemns proposed

05.05.08 Positive

10


Country Title Date

Website Tone

Release soda ash plant

33.Capital Fm Kenya Group opposes proposed soda ash plant

05-05-08 Www.capitalfm.co.ke Positive

34.Bibilia Husema Kenya Group opposes proposed soda ash plant

05-05-08 Positive

35.Ken TV Kenya Group opposes proposed soda ash plant

05-05-08 Www.kentv.net Positive

36.NTV Kenya Group opposes proposed soda ash plant

05-05-08

06-05-08

Positive

37.Hope Fm Kenya Group opposes proposed soda ash plant

05-05-08 Www.hopefm.org Positive

38.Radio Salaam Kenya Group opposes proposed soda ash plant

05-05-08 Positive

39.The Radio Star Kenya Group opposes proposed soda ash plant

05-05-08 Positive

40.Waumini Radio Kenya Group opposes proposed soda ash plant

05-05-08 Positive

41.Radio Umoja Kenya Group opposes proposed soda ash plant

05-05-08 Positive

42.K24 Kenya Group opposes proposed soda ash plant

05-05-08 Www.k24kenya.co.tv Positive

43.KBC Kenya Group opposes proposed soda ash plant

05-05-08 Www.kbc.co.ke Positive

44.KBC Kenya Group opposes proposed soda ash plant

05-05-08 Www.kbc.co.ke Positive

45.Daily Nation Kenya Japan keen to roll out its development plans in

19.05.08 Neutral

11


Country Title Date

Website Tone

Africa

46.Daily Nation Kenya Activists say no to soda ash plant; setting up project at lake will see breeding site for flamingos destroyed, they say

06.05.08 Positive

47.Taifa Leo Kenya Mashirika 30 yakataa ujenzi wa kiwanda/ Thirty organizations say no to construction of a plant

06.05.08 Positive

48.Kenya Times Kenya Groups oppose soda ash plant

06.05.08 Positive

49.Kenya Times Kenya Group opposes construction of soda ash plant at lake natron

06.05.08 Positive

50.The People Daily Kenya Group opposes construction of soda ash plant at lake natron

06.05.08 Positive

51.Capital Fm Kenya Group opposes proposed soda ash plant

06-05-08 Www.capitalfm.co.ke Positive

52.Bibilia Husema Kenya Group opposes proposed soda ash plant

06-05-08 Positive

53.Classic 105 Kenya Group opposes proposed soda ash plant

06-05-08 Positive

54.Kiss 100 Kenya Group opposes proposed soda ash plant

06-05-08 Positive

55.NTV Kenya Group opposes proposed soda ash plant

06-05-08 Www.ntv.co.ke Positive

12


Country Title Date

Website Tone

56.Lake Natron Consultative Group Press Release

Kenya Pan African conservationists reject Lake Natron soda ash plant

06.10.08 Positive

57.Nairobi Star, Kenya Soda ash won’t harm flamingos

07.05.08 Neutral

58.The Financial Post

Kenya Fresh opposition to natron soda ash project

21.07.08

27.07.08

Positive

59.Swara Article Kenya Lake natron: has Tatafinally bowed out?

31.07.08 Positive

60.KTN Kenya Group opposes proposed soda ash plant

08-05-08 Www.ktnkenya.tv Positive

61.K24 Kenya Group opposes proposed soda ash plant

08-05-08 Www.k24kenya.co.tv Positive

62.Business Daily Kenya Scientists oppose lake natron soda ash project

08.10.08 http://www.bdafrica.com/index.php?option=comcontent&task=view&id=10496&itemid=5810

Positive

63.BirdLife International - Africa, E. Bulletin

Kenya As Tata withdraws, the lake Natron debate finds its way to the East Africanparliament

21.08.08 Positive

64.The People Daily Kenya The Lake Natron raw 20.08.08 Positive

65.The People Daily Kenya Lake Natron.fresh row 28.08.08 Positive

13


Country Title Date

Website Tone

66.The East African Kenya African scientists oppose lake .Natron soda ash plant

20.10.08 Positive

67.The East African Kenya Tata offer on natron plant rubbished

12.05.08 Positive

68.Business Daily Kenya Tata moves soda ash factory from lake natron

12.05.08 http://www.bdafrica.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7533&itemid=5810

Positive

69.The East African Kenya Tata offer on Lake Natron rubbished

12.05.08 Positive

70.Nation Media Kenya Lake Natron up date 28.05.09 http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgcontententry.asp?category_id=1&newsid=122568

Neutral

14

Table 3: Press reports in Tanzania

S.No Press & Institution Country Title Date Website Tone

1) Www.Moivaro.Com Tanzania Flamingos N/a Positive

2) The Citizen Tanzania The project will only be allowed if proved that it will not adversely affect the environment. This is laudable

N/a www.thecitizen.co.tz/newe.php?id10360

Positive

3) The Guardian Tanzania Lake natron and extraction of soda ash

N/a Www.ippmedia.com

Positive

4) N/A Tanzania Tanzania yatahadharishwa kuhusu ziwa natron

(Tanzania warned over Lake Natron )

N/a Positive

5) British Broadcasting Corporation

Tanzania

Flamingos on fire

N/a Http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/7959230.stm

Positive

6) Aljazeera Tanzania group opposes construction of a soda ash plant

- - Positive

7) Daily News Tanzania Scoping notice to the public and interested and affected parties: lake natron soda ash facility environmental and social impact assessment

01.11. 06

Neutral

8) Daily News Tanzania Lake Natron soda ash plant gets clearance

01.08.07

Neutral

15


9) Thisday Tanzania Soda ash plant project thrown for now

06.11.07

Positive

10) Business Daily Tanzania Soda ash plant plan given go ahead

18.07.07

Neutral

11) Environmental News Service (Ens)

Tanzania Factory could disrupt flamingo breeding on East African lake

18.07. 07

Positive

12) The Guardian Tanzania Tanzania to host lake natron soda ash project talks

25.07.07

Http://www.ippmedia.com/ipp/guardian

Positive

13) Daily News Tanzania Oldonyo lengai evacuatees short of food

27.07.07

Neutral

14) Tanzania Daima Tanzania Mradi wa bilioni 400/. Wakataliwa/

( 400 billion project rejected)

30.10.07

Positive

15) This Day Tanzania International petition filed against planned 400 bn soda ash factory

31.10.07

Positive

16) This Day Tanzania Government should reconsider lake natron soda ash project

31.10.07

Positive

17) Safari E.Bulletin: Tanzania News watch: salty uproar over flamingos nest; money or the birds

11.07.07

www.menengaiholidays.com

Positive

18) BBC Africa Tanzania Industry threat to rare Africanflamingo

11.07.07

Positive

16


19) Tanzania Common Cents

Tanzania The lake natron soda ash factory plan sinked for now

12-11-07

http://tzcommoncents.wordpress.com/2007/11/12/lake-natron-soda-ash-factory-plan-sinked-for-now/

Positive

20) The Guardian Tanzania Soda ash project: Tata chemical is “reviewing” ESIA

01.05.08

Neutral

21) Daily News Tanzania

Natron soda ash plant’s new site for inspection

01.07.08

http://dailynews.habarileo.co.tz/home/index.php?id=5568

Neutral

22) The Guardian Tanzania From the world to Tanzania: for the love of flamingoes; our environment and beyond

20.01.08

Http://www.ippmedia.com/ipp/guardian

Positive

23) The Guardian Tanzania Meeting rejects Lake .Natron ash scheme

24.01.08

Www.ippmedia.com

Positive

24) Nipashe Tanzania Wadau wampinga mwekezaji wa magadi ziwa natron

(Stakeholders oppose Lake Natron investor)

24.01.08

Positive

25) Mtanzania Tanzania Wadau wa mazingira wapinga ujenzi kiwanda cha magadi

(Environmentalists oppose the construction of a soda ash project )

24.01.08

Positive

17


26) The Guardian Tanzania Start a fight that you cannot win

24.01.08

Positive

27) Tanzania Daima Tanzania Malumbano yaendelea mradi wa magadi( wrangles on soad ash project continue)

02.06.08

Positive

28) The Guardian On Sunday

Tanzania Lake natron : home to flamingos under threat

21.03.08

Www.ippmedia.com

Positive

29) The Guardian Tanzania Reaping cash from lake manyara’s biosphere

24.03.08

Neutral

30) The Guardian Tanzania Japanese 90m support to end water woes in longido village

24.03.08

Neutral

31) The Guardian On Sunday

Tanzania Lake natron is more than just flamingos

30.03.08

Www.ippmedia.com

Positive

32) The Citizen Tanzania Protect this vital area. “LakeNatron provides a conducive breeding and feeding ground for flamingos. It's time Tanzanians learnt to balance what the country stands to gain out of a particular project against the potential risks.”

04.02.08

http://thecitizen.co.tz/newe.php?id=10360

Positive

33) The Guardian Tanzania Shifting the problem ….30 km away

04.05.08

Www.ippmedia.com

Positive

34) The Guardian Tanzania So the soda ash plant is not a threat to the environment!

27.04.08

http://www.ippmedia.com/ipp/observer/2008/04/27/113221.html

positive

18


[email protected]

Source

35) Nipashe Tanzania Wanavijiji bado walia na tishio la kutoweka kwa flamingo

(Natron soda ash mining; villagers decry threat of flamingo loss)

15.05.08

Positive

36) The Citizen Tanzania UK activists pile pressure against soda ash project

16.05.08

http://www.thecitizen.co.tz/newe.php?id=5264

Positive

37) Daily News Tanzania Norconsult to honor its contracts in Tanzania

19.05.08

Neutral

38) Daily News Tanzania NEMC awaits soda ash EIA report

21.05.08

Positive

39) The Citizen Tanzania

Indian firm halts plan for soda ash project

23.05.08 http://allafric

a.com/stories/200805230437.html

Positive

40) The Guardian Tanzania Plenty is at stake in the lake natron ecosystem

23.05.08

Www.ippmedia.com

Positive

41) The Guardian Tanzania President of the heritage society speaks

25.05.08

Www.ippmedia.com

Positive

42) Nipashe Tanzania NDC yatupilia mbali madai ya wanamazingira

29.05.08

Negative

19


(NDC rejects environmentalists position )

43) Majira Tanzania NDC yapigia debe mradi wa magadi natron

(NDC supports natron soda ash project)

29.05.08

Neutral

44) The Guardian Tanzania Govt tells off environment lobby on soda ash project

29.05.08

Neutral

45) Business Daily Tanzania Norwegian firm quits Tanzaniaover corruption

07.05.08

Neutral

46) This Day Tanzania Soda ash won’t harm flamingos 07.05.08

Neutral

47) The Citizen Tanzania Govt to proceed with controversial project

10.01.08

Negative

48) IPPS Media

The Guardian

Tanzania Lake natron consultative group gets...

24.11.08

http://216.69.164.44/ipp/guardian/2008/11/24/126992

Positive

20

Table 4: Press reports in Other Countries


1. Corp Watch India Stolen for steel: Tata takes tribal lands in India

24.05.06 Neutral

2. Norconsult Norway Norconsult withdraws from Tanzania

01.08.07 Www.norconsult.com

Neutral

3. Mail And Guardian SouthAfrica

Plan for chemical plant threatens flamingoes

02.11.07 Http://www.mg.co.za/articlepage.aspx?Area=/breaking_news/breaking_news__africa/&articleid=323859&referrer=rss,nairobi, Kenya

Positive

4. The Royal Society For The Protection Of Birds

U.K Judgment day for Africa’s flamingos

02.11.07 Www.rspb.org Positive

5. Mines And Communities U.K Threat to the integrity of lake natron, community livelihoods and tourism in east Africa by the proposed soda ash mining by Tatachemicals ltd.

19.06.07 Http://www.minesandcommunities.org

Positive

6. Wildfowl And Wetland Trust

U.K Lesser flamingos under threat at lake natron

28.06.07 Www.wwt.org.uk.

Positive

21


7. Voice Of America USA Conservationists fear Tanzania flamingos threatened

17. 07.07 Www.voanews.com

Positive

8. Mines And Communities Web based Tata brew up a storm of protest in east Africa

19.07. 07 Www.minesandcommunities.org/action/press1574.htm

Positive

9.BBC East Africa

U.K Industry 'threat' to rare African flamingo

11.07.07 Positive

10. BBC U.K Industry threat to rare African flamingos

11.08.07 Www.newsbbc.co.uk

Positive

11. Engineering News Article SouthAfrica

Soda ash project:

Green opposition could put paid to Indiangroup’s Tanzania Sodaash plans

23.11.07 Http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article.php?A_id=121022

Coupon no.: mw0121022

Positive


U.K Threat to pink flamingos puts travel in the red

27.11. 07 Http://www.rspb.org.uk/news/details.asp?Id=tcm:9-176766

Positive

13. The Scotsman Scotland Pollution threat to flamingo

12.07. 07 Http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/index.cfm?Id=1083162007

Positive

22


14. The Ecologist U.KFlamingoes threatened by soda ash mining

12.07.07 Http://www.theecologist.org/news_detail.asp?Content_id=987

Positive

15. The Telegraph U.K Flamingoes under threat from chemical plant

12.07. 07 Www.telegraph.co.ke

Positive

16. The Telegraph U.K Flamingoes under threat from chemical plant

12.07.07 Positive

17. The Independent U.K Chemical plant threatens rift valley flamingos

12.07.07 Www.independent.co.uk/environment/nature/chemical-plant-threatens-rift-valley-flamingos-456906.html

Positive

18.

The Guardian

U.K .factory may destroy natural wonder· rift valley plan threatens to wipe out flamingos· 'bonkers' soda.ash plant will ruin fragile ecosystem

12.07. 07 Positive


U.K Tata to prestine flamingo lake

12.07. 07 Http://www.rspb.org.uk/news/details.asp?Id=tcm:9-175962

Positive

23


20. Afrol News Norway Cautious conservation of wetlands is critical for economic growth

01.12.08 Http://www.afrol.com/articles/

Neutral

21. Afrol News Norway Cautious conservation of wetlands is critical for economic growth

01.12.08 Http://www.afrol.com/articles/31864

Positive

22. The Guardian U.K

Endangered species.

18.03.08Http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/mar/18/conservation

Positive

23. Selamta: Vol. 25. Number 2.

The In Flight Magazine Of Ethiopian Airlines

Ethiopia The pretty flamongo but could this be the last dance for Africas fabulous flame birds ?

04.04.08

04.06.08

Positive

24. Afrol News Norway Tata withdraws natron report

13.05.08 Http://www.afrol.com/articles/28892

Http://www.afrol.com/articles/31864

Neutral

25. Hindustan Times India Green groups halt Tataplant in Tanzania

“environmental activists

22.05.08 Positive

24


in Tanzania have forced a Tata group company to put on hold a $500 million soda ash plant by generating protests from across the world.’

26. Www.Planet.Com Web based Natron flamingos still in danger

06.05.08 Www.planet.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/48233/story.html

Positive

27. Reuters Online Web based Protests over soda ash plant

06.05.08 Www.reuters.com

Positive

28. Engineering News Article South Africa

Scientists flock to save flamingos on soda.ash prospect

06.10.08 Http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article.php?A_id=144589

Positive

29. The Independent U.K

Pollution in paradise: flamingos vs. The factory

07.05.08 Http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/nature/pollution.in.paradise.flamingos.vs.the.factory.822172.html

Positive

30. Wildlife Direct USA LNCG faults Tanzaniastate corporation on lake natron

17-07-08 Http://thewaterhole.wildlifedirect.org/2008/05/06/natron.flamingos.still.in.danger/

Positive

31. Reuters Web based Tanzania says soda ash will not harm flamingos

08.05.08 Http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/l05347897.htm

Http://africa.reuters.com

Neutral

25


32. Cape Times South Africa

Lake Natron’s flamingos in the line offire in the battle for Africa’s resources

09.05.08 Http;//www.capetimes.co.za/index.php?Farticled=439219

Positive


U.K Flamingos under threat from pollution

10.07. 08 Www.rspb.org.uk/news.

Positive

34. IPPS Media Web based Lake natron consultative group gets…

11.11.08 Positive

35. Birdlife International U.K Tanzanian environment ministers statement at Ramsar COP 10 in korea

11.12.08 Www.birdlife.org/news/news/2008/12/natron_ramsar.html

Neutral

36. Ecogeneration Republic of Korea

What are lesser flamingos?

12-05-08 Http://eco.generation.org/education/column/view.html?Boardno=31&cat1=&cat2=&thread=248&page=1&search=keyword=

Positive

37. The American Chronicle USA Are lake natron flamingos on the edge of extinction?

18.02.09 Www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/91585

Positive

26


38. The Observer

U.K Disney film spot lightsthreat to spectacular flamingo Lake

11.01.09 Http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/jan/11/crimson.wing.disney.flamingo.tanzania

Positive

27

4 Analysis of Press coverage

This section analyses the press coverage during the Lake Natron Advocacy campaign in order to provide some insight. The analysis considered countries the tone of the stories. The actual press cuttings are in Annex 2 of this report.

4.1 Analysis by country

A total of 156 reports were received from a wide range of countries in Africa, Europe, Americas and Asia. These counties were: Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, South Africa, Norway, Scotland, The United Kingdom, The United States of America, Korea and India. In this analysis, the coverage was categorized into Kenya, Tanzania and other countries.

The analysis shows that 45% (ň=70) of all the articles were received from Kenya. Tanzania recorded 30 % (ň=48) of all the press articles and the rest of the countries (including U.K, U.S.A., India, and South Africa) contributed 25 % (ň=38) of all the press articles. See Figure 4 below.

Figure 4 Analysis of press coverage by country

28

4.2 Analysis by tone

4.2.1 Definition of tone

Positive tone articles were those whose content fully favored the campaign and condemned the soda ash project. Neutral tone articles were those that tried to balance the views for and against the project while Negative tone articles are those whose contents were inclined towards supporting the soda ash project.

4.2.2 General Analysis of tone

Out of the 156 press reports, 82% (n=128) were positive to the campaign; 16 % (ń=25) were neutral and 2 % negative. See figure 5 below.

Figure 5 Analysis by tone

4.2.3 Tone of Articles in Kenya

Out of the 70 press reports from Kenya, 90% (n=63) were positive to the campaign; 9% were neutral and 1% were negative. See figure 6 below. This can be explained by the fact that the campaign was based in Kenya and was relatively less difficult to convince the local press with the arguments against the soda ash proposal.

Figure 6 Tone in Kenya

29

4.2.4 Tone of Articles in Tanzania

Out of the 48 press reports from Tanzania, 69 %( n=33) were positive to the campaign; 27% were neutral and 4% were negative. The support from the Tanzanian press was quite impressive given that the project was a “government” one. This support may be explained by the presence of a strong environmental journalists’ movement. The journalists Environmental Association of Tanzania (JET) played a critical role in drawing the local press to the support side. See figure 7 below.

Figure 7 Tone in Tanzania

4.2.5 Tone of Articles in other countries

Out of the 38 press reports from other countries, 84 %( n=32) were positive to the campaign; 16% wereneutral and there were no negative stories to the campaign. See figure 8 below.

Figure 8 Tone in Other countries

30

4.3 Analysis by year

The year 2008 recorded 61 % (ń=91) of all the press articles, while 36 % (ń=54) of the press articles were received in 2007. The years 2006 and 2009 recorded 1% and 2 % of the press articles respectively. See figure 9 below.

Figure 9 Analysis by year

4.4 Analysis by year and country

50% of articles in 2006 originated from Tanzania and other countries, in 2007 and 2008 Kenya recorded 30% and 50% respectively. Other countries including the U.K and the U.S.A recorded 60% of the articles in 2009.

4.4.1 Analysis in Kenya by year

Kenya recorded a total of 70 articles for the period 2006-2009. No press article in 2006 was recorded, while 34 % (ň=24) articles were received in 2007 and up to 64% (ň=45) articles in 2008; one article was received in 2009. The print media involved in this campaign included; The Nation media, The Standard Group, among others. Of equal importance is the contribution of the electronic media which included Television Stations such as; Ken TV, Nation television, Kenya Broadcasting corporation, Kenya Television Network and K24. The Radio stations involved included Capital FM, Kiss FM, Radio Umoja, and Radio Waumini among others. See figure 10 below.

Figure 10 Articles in Kenya by year

31

4.4.2 Analysis in Tanzania by year

Out of the coverage in Tanzania, 69% (n=30) were received in 2008, 29% were received in 2007and 2% in 2006. See Figure 11. Five articles were not included on the analysis as the date of publication was not clear. The print media involved in this campaign included; The guardian, This day, Daily news, and The citizen, Mtanzania, among others.

Figure 11 Analysis by year in Tanzania

4.4.3 Analysis in other countries by year

A total of 38 articles were recorded for the period 2006-2009 in other countries.

47% (n=18) of the articles were received in 2007, 45% (n=17) in 2008. The year 2009 recorded 5% of the articles while 3% of the articles were recorded in 2006. The print media involved in this campaign included; The Guardian, The Telegraph, The Independent, Hindustan times, among others. See figure 12 below. Other radio stations involved were the VOA and BBC among others.

Figure 12 Analysis by year in other countries

32

5 Extracts from the press coverage

As mentioned above, the press coverage was from a wide range of sources and countries and had different tones. In this section we provide extracts of some of the articles in order to provide the gist of the messages that were communicated.

One striking article was carried by The Guardian (UK) dated, Thursday, 12th, 2007. The writer raised the alarm that one of nature's most spectacular sights-millions of pink flamingos migrating was in danger of disappearing forever. Quoting, Chris Magin, the RSPB's officer for Africa, the article said "The chances of lesser flamingos continuing to breed at Lake Natron in the face of such mayhem are next to zero”. A related article in The Independent on 12th July 2007, quoted Dr Chris Magin, saying: "Putting Lake Natron at risk is ‘bonkers’.”

On the 17th July 2007, Nick Wadhams of the VOA, in an article titled Conservationists Fear Tanzania Flamingos Threatened, reported that Conservation Groups were up in arms about a proposal to build a soda ash plant on the shores of a lake in Tanzania. Quoting Ken Mwathe, The Group’s Coordinator, the article said “soda ash mining would upset the delicate natural ecology of the lake, thus hurting flamingo breeding”

On the 12th August, 2007, Dr. Mwaura, a Senior Lecturer at the University of Nairobi, Kenya, wrote an article in The Sunday Nation, in Kenya titled: “Kenya should oppose Lake Natron Project”. He argued that Kenyans had good reasons to oppose the intended project. He mentioned the huge dependence of Lake Natron on Kenya's Uaso Nyiro River, saying, large scale soda ash production would lead to significant environmental pollution through the release of solid, liquid and gaseous wastes. He further questioned Tata’s Environmental Record pointing to the 1994 Bhopal India accident from which 20,000 victims have died and 120,000 others exposed to deadly health effects. Tata engineers were adversely affected in the construction of the union cable battery factory from which lethal isocyanides and other gases leaked, causing the accident.

Announcing the withdrawal of the soda ash Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) report, The Hindustan Times, Mumbai, May 22, 2008 quoted Homi Khusrokhan, MD, Tata Chemicals, saying: “The Lake Natron Project, as originally envisaged, has been kept in abeyance. The company is not in a position to take a view with regard to resumption till it has a chance to examine the final approved Ramsar Management Plan currently under preparation for Lake Natron.” The MD further said: “It is clear now the plant cannot be sited at the lakeside because of the risks to the environment and, therefore, the original Environment and Social Impact Assessment should be treated as withdrawn.”

33

6 Impacts of the media and publicity campaign

The key outcome of the media and publicity campaign was that on 22nd May, 2008, Tata Chemicals Limited announced the withdrawal of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment report. Tata had submitted the report for review to the Tanzania government, but asked to withdraw due to pressure from concerned Groups. The withdrawal of the report gave a temporary reprieve to Lake Natron, its flamingos and the local community.

The withdrawal of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment report can directly be linked to the pressure by the campaign.

Other outcomes of the campaign were:

There was broad outreach to a cross-section of individuals and groups at the local and international level leading to more enquiries about the Lake Natron Flamingos from all the 5 continents. Stories appeared in numerous institutional websites and blogs across the world.

The international press conference held at Hotel Intercontinental in Nairobi on 5th May 2008 elicited a huge amount of publicity.

There was a steady increase in membership numbers and advocacy strength of the Lake Natron Consultative Group by 80% from 26 to 48 institutions in 2008, alone.

34

7 Conclusions

It is gratifying to note that most of the press reports were positive. This may point to the fact that even the press was convinced by the arguments put forward by The Group and BirdLife against the soda ash mining proposal

The cost of press coverage would be enormous if the Group was to pay for all the coverage that appeared in the print and electronic media. However, the close collaboration among institutions made optimum use of available resources for maximum impact.

The Lake Natron Consultative Group is therefore optimistic that this campaign will in the long run ensure that the Lesser Flamingos, their breeding site and habitat are conserved and that the livelihoods of the local people, protected.

The lesson learnt from this campaign is that, there are opportunities to use the press to make a positive contribution to the protection of the environment, conservation of biodiversity and securing of the livelihoods of local communities.

35

Annex 1: The Press Release of 5th May, 2008.

LAKE NATRON CONSULTATIVE GROUP CONDEMNS PROPOSED SODA ASH PLANT

The Lake Natron Consultative Group (LNCG) has renewed efforts to stop construction of a soda ash plant at Lake Natron after the investor’s insistence on going ahead with the project despite the negative environmental impact that the project is likely to pose.

The Group, comprising of 32 institutions in East, Central and Southern Africa and North America has opposed new plans by the investor, Lake Natron Resources Ltd to shift the project to a new site despite heavy opposition to the project.

Lake Natron Resources Ltd is jointly owned by Tata Chemicals Ltd of Mumbai India and Tanzania’s National Development Corporation. The company’s initial plan was to set up a soda ash plant with an annual production capacity of 0.5 million tonnes which has raised serious environmental concerns.

The LNCG has aggressively opposed the project warning that it was likely to have the following impact;-

Affect the breeding of 75 percent of the world’s lesser flamingos due to increased disturbance by the presence of humans and vehicular traffic. Moreover, changes in volumes and chemical composition of the water and increased presence of predators are other important factors to consider.

Destroy the local pastoral livelihoods as pastures are encroached and water resources get depleted. Calculations show that in 15 hours the plant alone will consume enough water to meet the needs of 40,000 heads of cattle!

Expose the local community o an increased risk of contracting HIV/AIDS due to an influx of people;

Destroy the tourism appeal of the Lake Natron area as a result of loss of wilderness quality.

Negatively affect the national economies of Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia and Uganda that depend on flamingo related tourism. Tanzania earned US $ 746 million from tourist receipts in 2004 while Kenya earned US $ 886 million from tourism in 2006.

Lead to increased environmental degradation and pressure on natural resources such as fuel wood and water.

Lead to increased pollution from the soda ash plant by products and waste from the urban centre.

Affect the health of the local people and lead to increased incidences of respiratory diseases

36

Groups opposed to the project were greatly disturbed when they learnt during a recent public hearing on the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment of the project that the investor planned to proceed with the project but on a new site.

The LNCG has registered fresh opposition to the new plans by the investor despite the concerns so far raised about the viability of the project, and the fact that the investor has not even bothered to undertake environmental assessment of the new site.

From a recent assessment the LNCG discovered that the local community was not well sensitized about the negative impact of the project as the investor had failed to involve them in the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment.

The LNCG is stepping up efforts to have the project halted through advocacy and by commissioning further studies into the comparative cost benefits of the project.

The cost benefit analysis study will compare the costs and benefits of soda ash mining and those of tourism, pastoralism, culture, biodiversity and other natural resources (tangible and intangible) within the ecosystem.

As part of the advocacy, the LNGC is contacting key institutional director and ministers in Tanzania, Kenya and other countries to sensitize them about the project and lobby their support. This week The Group will present a petition to the Tanzanian High Commissioner to Kenya as part of the advocacy.

Among the plans is to engage the organs of the East African Community in debate to prepare them for possible discussion by the Council of Ministers and to lobby the Speaker and Members of the East African Legislative Assembly to support the Group’s position.

Discussions are also underway with Tanzanian environmental lawyers to collect evidence, particularly on land rights issues with a view to placing an injunction at the Tanzanian High court and/or the East African Court of Justice if need be.

In the long term, the LNCG would like systems put in place to make it difficult for other trans-boundary projects with significant environmental impacts initiated. The Lake Natron basin and the cross border ecosystem should be developed for flamingo tourism and other forms of tourism including cultural tourism.

The Group would like the Tanzania government to initiate and complete a management plan for the Natron Basin Ramsar Site with the plan extended beyond the Tanzania border in order to encompass the whole ecosystem. LNCG has offered expertise to help realize this.

The Group is also petitioning the authorities in Kenya in order to have the portion of Lake Natron that is located in Kenya, and the adjoining ecosystem, listed as a Ramsar site as well.

37

This will complete the picture across the border and will foster collaborative planning and management of this critical ecosystem.

ENDS

For more information please contact;

Ken Mwathe

Coordinator, Lake Natron Consultative Group

BirdLife Africa Partnership Secretariat,

P.O. Box 3502, 00100, Nairobi, Kenya;

Mobile: 254–733-926191

Tel: 254-20-8562246/8562490

Fax: 254-20-8562259;

Email: [email protected]

38

Annex 2a: Hard copies of press stories from Kenya

39

Annex 2b: Hard copies of Press Stories from Tanzania

40

Annex 2c: Hard copies of Press stories from other countries

saving a precious lake through the media › sites › default › files › attachments ›...

Documents