Promoting accurate and constructive dialogue
In an effort to ensure fair and accurate reporting, the Cook Islands Seabed Minerals Authority (Authority), recently reached out to an international media outlet over an article on the Cook Islands development of its seabed minerals (SBM) sector.
Article published on Mongabay website.
Published on 17 June 2020 by Mongabay,[1] the article titled “Cook Islands to grant seabed mining exploration licenses within a year”, explained the Government’s plans for its SBM sector, as well as concerns by civil society groups around the potential impacts of SBM activities. The article was shared widely on social media both internationally and in the Cook Islands.
For the most part, the article reflected correctly the statements made by Government. However, it also contained some key misrepresentations and inaccuracies.
It stated that the Government planned to issue mining licences within 5 years. This is not correct. The responsible Minister, Deputy Prime Minister Mark Brown has been on record several times to make clear that Government will not allow mining to proceed, unless it is satisfied that the potential environmental impacts can be addressed. This is not time-bound, and will depend on the research undertaken.
Currently the Cook Islands, like the rest of the world, is in the exploration phase. This involves mostly low-impact activities. It is expected that the exploratory activities will continue for some years, gathering the information needed for the Government to be able to make a decision on whether the sector can proceed to commercial nodule recovery.
2019 research cruise in Cook Islands waters.
The article also incorrectly stated that the Seabed Minerals Act 2019 (Act), would allow the Authority to bypass the Marae Moana processes in place. In fact, the Act brought in changes to ensure that the Marae Moana processes were better integrated with SBM activities. It further prevents any SBM licence from being issued over an area which is protected under Marae Moana.
Other inaccuracies included the deep seabed images used, which were not from the Cook Islands waters; as well as not fully portraying the various factors driving the Government’s development of its SBM sector.
To Mongabay’s credit, when the Authority raised these issues, they rectified it. The article was updated on 25 June 2020. In a statement on their website, Mongabay acknowledged the inaccuracies, stating: “After conducting additional research we have corrected the story. We regret the errors.”
Seabed Minerals Commissioner, Alex Herman said “We appreciate Mongabay’s effort to state facts correctly. This is a reflection of their dedication to evidence-driven objective journalism,” adding “I think this shows that Government and the media can work in partnership to bring awareness to important issues in a fair and accurate way.”
The media play an important role as a source of information for the public, which assists in educating and raising awareness on issues, such as SBM. “In order to develop a meaningful and constructive dialogue on this topic, it is fundamental that statements and positions are fairly and accurately recorded” said Herman.
Image of Cook Islands seabed, showing nodules (1986 cruise)
Looking to the future, Government is planning to engage further with its stakeholders on SBM developments, particularly the Cook Islands communities. Brown says “We are developing this sector for the benefit of our country and our people. So we need to engage more with our people on these SBM issues, and we will be doing that in the coming months”
The updated article can be found here. Further details on the issues identified by the Authority are available here.
Enquiries relating to this release can be sent to: [email protected].
To keep updated, please follow the Authority Facebook page (www.facebook.com/CookIslandsSBMA/).
[1] Mongabay is a nonprofit environmental science and conservation news platform which reports in multiple languages using over 500 correspondents in around 70 countries.
SOURCE: SEABED MINERALS AUTHORITY