Risking It All: The Growing Dangers for Journalists Reporting from the Amazon

April 26, 2025 – General –

Covering the Amazon rainforest has become one of the most dangerous assignments for journalists today, especially for those reporting on environmental issues, Indigenous rights, and illegal activity. As pressures on the region increase—from deforestation to mining and land grabs—so too do the threats facing those who seek to expose what’s happening.

Journalists working in the Amazon often face physical dangers not only from the challenging terrain but also from the human actors profiting from environmental destruction. Illegal loggers, miners, and drug traffickers, often shielded by corrupt networks, pose serious risks to reporters who investigate their operations. In many cases, threats escalate to harassment, attacks, and even killings.

Local journalists are particularly vulnerable. Unlike foreign correspondents who may have organizational backing or evacuation plans, many local reporters lack institutional support or protective equipment. Freelancers face additional challenges: navigating remote regions with limited safety training or communication tools. The brutal murders of British journalist Dom Phillips and Indigenous expert Bruno Pereira in 2022 remain a haunting reminder of the cost of reporting in the region.

Organizations such as Internews are working to raise awareness and improve safety protocols for environmental reporters. They stress the need for proper training in conflict navigation, digital security, and first aid. The importance of building local partnerships with Indigenous communities and organizations is also key, not only for protection but to ensure responsible and accurate storytelling.

The jungle itself also poses hazards: wildlife, disease, and isolation can turn routine reporting trips into survival challenges. Add to that the political hostility journalists sometimes face from regional and national authorities, and the job becomes even more perilous.

Despite these threats, journalists continue to report from the Amazon, driven by the urgency of the environmental crisis and the voices of communities whose lives are directly affected. But press advocates argue that more support, funding, and legal protections are needed to ensure these vital stories can still be told before it’s too late.

Reference – 

https://internews.org/commentary/the-dangers-facing-environmental-journalists/

https://www.voanews.com/a/amazon-rainforest-can-be-hostile-environment-for-journalists/7597032.html

https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-environment/2025/04/26/how-journalists-can-stay-safe-in-the-amazon-rainforest/83297491007/