The Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism (RISJ) at the University of Oxford has decided to close its highly regarded Oxford Climate Journalism Network (OCJN) program. The closure will take effect after the completion of the eighth and final cohort in December 2025.
Mission: OCJN was an ambitious initiative designed to support a global community of reporters and editors. Its core goal was to improve the quality, understanding, and impact of climate coverage worldwide.
Scale: Since its launch in January 2022, the six-month online program has enrolled a massive 800 journalists from over 120 countries, offering deeper insights and interactive sessions with experts.
Impact on India: India was one of the program’s biggest beneficiaries, second only to the UK, with 47 journalists having participated across the eight cohorts.
The decision has met with dismay and disappointment from the large global alumni community. Many current and former participants found the program highly beneficial for gaining the critical, deep insights needed to cover the complex subject of climate change.
Alumni are now urging the RISJ management to review the decision, especially if the closure is due to funding constraints, stressing the essential role the network plays in global climate awareness.
