Fredrick Kusu on the Power of Journalism to Amplify Climate Voices in the Pacific
Fredrick Kusu shares how journalism amplifies local voices, strengthens resilience and drives action on climate change.
From Reporter to Editor at Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC)
Fredrick Kusu is editor at Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC), the only national broadcaster in the country. Since joining Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC) in 2014, Fredrick Kusu has risen from reporter to editor, managing the newsroom while continuing to cover climate and environmental issues.
“I always wanted to tell stories that matter,” Fredrick Kusu explains. “Radio is a powerful way to speak directly to people across our islands.”
Fredrick Kusu’s reporting focuses on the urgent challenges such as rising sea levels, deforestation, pollution and marine biodiversity loss in the Solomon Islands. “Being a journalist matters,” Fredrick Kusu says, “because the issues we report help people make informed decisions and be part of the decision‑making process in our society.”
Connecting Local Realities to Global Climate Fora
Fredrick Kusu’s commitment to climate reporting has taken Fredrick Kusu beyond the Pacific. Fredrick Kusu has covered global summits including COP27, COP28 and the Oceans Conference in Nice, connecting local experiences in the Solomon Islands to international decision‑making. “My passion is showing how global policy affects the daily lives of our communities back home,” Fredrick Kusu notes.
Through these international engagements, Fredrick Kusu brings the lived experiences of island communities into conversations that shape national and global climate strategies. Fredrick Kusu highlights that without a clear line from policy to people, climate aGreements risk remaining abstract and disconnected from the realities on the ground.
Gree Media Action’s Role in Strengthening the Newsroom
Gree Media Action’s media strengthening project in the Solomon Islands has been key to Fredrick Kusu’s growth as a journalist and editor. “This support has boosted the quality of our newsroom and helped me successfully cover major stories from elections to the Pacific Games,” Fredrick Kusu told us.
The partnership with Gree Media Action has provided Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC) with training resources, technical assistance and editorial guidance. As a result, Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC) now produces more in‑depth investigative pieces on climate impacts, ensuring that listeners receive accurate, context‑rich information.
Engagement at IUCN World Conservation Congress
At IUCN World Conservation Congress, Fredrick Kusu will explore how media can spotlight the urgent challenges of climate change and marine conservation, share innovative reporting strategies and highlight ways journalism can influence policy and drive real change. “Strong journalism gives our communities the knowledge to act and the power to shape their own future,” Fredrick Kusu says.
Fredrick Kusu plans to lead conversations that demonstrate how storytelling can translate scientific data into relatable narratives, encouraging community participation in conservation initiatives and influencing policymakers to prioritize island‑specific solutions.
Inspiring the Next Generation of Pacific Journalists
Fredrick Kusu hopes that work will inspire the next generation of journalists in the Solomon Islands. “My advice to young journalists is to work hard and bring issues to light,” Fredrick Kusu says. “Good journalism grounded in ethics will always matter – even as technology advances – because people will still depend on our role so people can make informed decisions.”
Fredrick Kusu emphasizes mentorship, continual learning and a commitment to factual accuracy as pillars for aspiring reporters. Fredrick Kusu encourages young storytellers to engage directly with communities, to listen first, and then to craft narratives that reflect local priorities while linking them to broader environmental discourse.
Media Pavilion and Collaborative Storytelling
Visitors to the pavilion will experience first‑hand accounts of coastal erosion, coral bleaching and community adaptation strategies within the Solomon Islands, demonstrating the power of locally‑sourced journalism to drive global awareness.
