To conclude its coverage of the COP23, Euronews in partnership with the European Forest Institute, presents a 360 report on the deadly forest fires in Portugal.

For the first time, Euronews one of the most innovative media for immersive journalism, also produces the video in 360 audio, a cutting-edge technology and only a handful of media companies in the world are capable of using it.

The first international newsroom to fully incorporate 360-degree video news into its regular production workflow in 2016, Euronews innovates once again while drawing attention to one of the deadliest tragedies in the country’s history.

 

Euronews’ special envoy to Portugal, Joanna Gill, travelled the parts of the country which suffered during the blazes throughout the Summer and Autumn. In 2017, wildfires in Portugal burnt up to 560,000 hectares of forest. This represents 60% of Europe’s total, for a country that represents just over 2% of its landmass. The wildfires, now recognised as the worst natural disaster this year in Europe, have killed more than 100 people in four months.

 

Available on Euronews’ digital platforms, the immersive experience allows Euronews’ audience to witness first-hand the devastation, meet the communities affected and hear from first responders and experts.

This video will also immerse the audience, thanks to a cutting-edge 360 audio mix, a technology which combines ambisonic recording and spatialized audio. Added to the 360 video, this 360 audio strongly increases the audience’s sense of immersion and presence. Euronews is among the first news media companies to publish immersive content with this technology.

The European Forest Institute is proud to have collaborated with Euronews on the 360 video on wildfires.  EFI’s mission is to connect journalism and science communities around the topic of climate change.

Joining forces with Euronews is part of EFI’s new science-media initiative, The Lookout Station. The story on Portugal is the very first effort of the initiative, which will involve a number of media houses and provide scientific expertise to support digital storytelling on climate change. Pilot for the initiative, Lookout360° Climate Change Immersive Story Initiative, was recently launched. Euronews is the groundbreaker for the initiative, and sets the bar high.

 

  Thomas Seymat, VR & immersive journalism editor, Euronews

“The fires in Portugal have been one of the major European stories in 2017, affecting thousands, and forcing us to look at the potential impacts of climate change on our continent. We wanted to take our audience on the ground to help understand the situation better. Our innovative use of 360 audio reaffirms Euronews position as a leading immersive journalism producer in Europe.

   

Marc Palahí, Director, European Forest Institute

 

“At EFI we take a scientific look at the root causes behind the fires. The effects of global warming, together with the expansion of unmanaged forest land due to depopulation of rural areas, create the perfect storm for catastrophic forest fires. The focus must be shifted from fire suppression to prevention and forest management that enhances the resilience of forests to global change. Developing a sustainable forest bioeconomy is crucial for such transformation.”

(Source: Euronews press release)