WildAid hosted the official award ceremony for the inaugural 2026 Gabon Environmental Media Awards in Libreville on May 28, recognizing outstanding journalists and content creators whose reporting has helped raise public awareness of environmental challenges and inspire action to protect Gabon’s natural heritage.
The awards followed a training course for journalists focused on environmental news reporting conducted by WildAid and Mongabay last year. Together the course and the awards aimed to strengthen reporting on critical environmental issues including biodiversity conservation, wildlife protection, illegal wildlife trafficking, climate change, pollution, and sustainable development.
Held in partnership with the Embassy of the United States in Gabon, the event brought together journalists, government representatives, conservation organizations and partners to celebrate the growing role of media in informing public understanding and encouraging engagement on environmental issues.
In remarks delivered during the ceremony, WildAid representatives and Embassy staff highlighted the important role media professionals play in helping citizens understand environmental challenges and showcasing the people and solutions working to address them.
“Environmental issues are no longer distant challenges,” said Jennifer Biffot, WildAid’s representative for Francophone Africa. “They directly affect our forests, our wildlife, our communities, our economies, and ultimately our future. In a country like Gabon, home to one of the richest biodiversities in the world, the role of the media is essential.”
“Journalists help transform complex environmental issues into stories that people can understand, connect with, and act upon. Through your reporting, investigations, documentaries, radio programs, and articles, you help raise awareness and encourage collective responsibility,” she added.
Following an independent judging process, winners were selected based on the quality of reporting, relevance of subject matter, storytelling, public engagement, and contribution to environmental awareness.
2026 WINNERS
Environmental Photo of the Year
Sean Bellon
Buffalo on Loango’s plastic beach
Best Report on Forest and/or Wildlife Conservation
Benjamin Evine Binet
Improving beekeeping practices of indigenous peoples for better environmental protection in the Congo Basin
Best Television Report on an Environmental Issue
Dieu Donne Kumbaht
Irresponsibility and Ignorance: Predictable Harm
Best Report on Marine or Coastal Conservation
Marie-Dominique Lamou-Igoho
In Gamba, every life counts, underwater as well as on the sand
Best Radio Report on an Environmental Issue
Landry Boudiongou
Artisanal gold panning in Ndjolé: between economic survival and ecological threat
Best Environmental Investigative Report
Michaël Moukouangui Moukala
Investigation: Moanda, the ecological curse of manganese, Comilog under fire from critics
The winning entries reflected the breadth of environmental reporting in Gabon, covering issues ranging from marine conservation and Indigenous livelihoods to mining impacts and environmental accountability.
Gabon is home to some of Central Africa’s most important forests and wildlife. As environmental pressures continue to evolve, strong, accessible and evidence-based environmental media remains an important tool for increasing awareness, encouraging responsible behavior and supporting environmental protection efforts.
Through the Gabon Environmental Media Awards, WildAid and its partners aim to encourage more high-quality environmental reporting and strengthen the role of media as partners in protecting Gabon’s natural heritage.
“To all participating journalists: whether you receive an award tonight or not, your contribution matters. Every story published, every interview conducted, every report produced helps strengthen environmental awareness and conservation efforts in Gabon,” Biffot said.
“At WildAid, we strongly believe that conservation is not only the responsibility of governments or organizations. It is a collective effort, and the media has a critical role to play in that effort.”
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