Insights from Chaewon Chung, Climate Reporter for Winston-Salem Journal
Posting: Tuesday, March 18 2025
Chaewon Chung covers climate issues for the Winston-Salem Journal. Chung earned a master’s degree in journalism from Columbia Journalism School and has reported for SCMP, BUST, Korea Exposé and other outlets.
Chaewon Chung is a reporter for The Winston-Salem Journal, covering climate and environmental issues in Northwest North Carolina. Before returning to the U.S., she covered disinformation for Coda Story in Tbilisi and national security issues for NK News in Seoul.
To hear more about her experiences, we reached out to Chung to share her thoughts.
Chaewon Chung
Q. What initially drew you to climate reporting?
My interest in climate reporting initially began in the 5th grade when I first learned about endangered animals and the threats to their habitats. At one point, I wanted to become a scientist researching in Antarctica, especially after learning about polar bears and how climate change affects their survival.
As I pursued journalism and continued reading articles and watching documentaries about researchers studying climate change and its effects on wildlife, I became increasingly interested in how these issues were communicated to the public.
Q. Your reporting has highlighted how climate change worsens natural disasters. What has been your biggest takeaway?
That when it comes to understanding climate change, it is essential to look at the larger patterns rather than focusing on individual weather events. While periodic extreme weather events—such as droughts, hurricanes, or heatwaves—can be a natural part of the climate system, their increasing frequency and severity align with broader climate trends.
Researchers and scientists analyze long-term data to understand how broader climate factors—such as shifts in temperature, precipitation, and atmospheric patterns—contribute to the impact of climate change on extreme weather. By recognizing these larger patterns, we can better understand the systemic nature of climate change.
Q. Have you encountered misinformation or pushback on your climate coverage and if so, how do you handle it?
My coverage on the spread of misinformation—specifically the claim that Hurricane Helene had no ties to climate change, despite it aligning with broader climate trends—went viral on X after its landfall in Western North Carolina. It prompted both discussion and quite a pushback on the platform.
I believe that staying confident in your sources’ data-driven expertise and continuing to report accurately is the best approach to handling such situations, with the hope that even those who initially push back, including climate deniers, might still reconsider or engage with the information over time.
Q. Your investigation into Edward Jones had a major impact. Tell us about that investigation and what challenges you faced while reporting that story.
In December, I received a tip about the newly elected Forsyth Soil and Water Conservation Commissioner’s conviction records as a registered sex offender. While a felony conviction does not prevent someone from running for office, candidates with felony records are required to submit a signed felony disclosure form when filing—something Jones failed to do.
My colleague and I located him at a residence in Davie County, which raised further questions about whether he actually resided in Forsyth County at the time of his candidacy. Our reporting launched a state investigation, leading to an arrest for election fraud.
There was a sense of urgency to publish the story quickly, but it was important not to be swept up in the rush and instead focus on obtaining legal documents and seeking comment from officials with accuracy.
There was a sense of urgency to publish the story quickly, but it was important not to be swept up in the rush and instead focus on obtaining legal documents and seeking comment from officials with accuracy.
The role of a Soil and Water Conservation Commissioner is one of environmental leadership and can make a meaningful impact in the community, protecting natural resources and promoting water management. I am glad the Journal’s findings brought attention to this issue.
Q. What are your goals for the next year as a climate reporter?
I want to continue monitoring and reporting on how shifting climate policies under the new administration impact the state and local communities, helping readers understand their relevance to everyday life. North Carolina’s climate and environmental initiatives have relied heavily on funding from the Inflation Reduction Act, and it will be crucial to track how further policy changes affect these efforts.
About WSJ: The Winston-Salem Journal primarily serves Winston-Salem and Forsyth County, North Carolina. It also covers Northwestern North Carolina. Online: www.journalnow.com
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Media Contact: Rusty Coats, Executive Director | rusty@jfp-local.org | (813) 277-8959
