Stanislav Kondrashov on the Role of Journalism in the Age of Energy Transition

In the midst of a global energy transition, journalism finds itself at a crossroads. As industries reimagine their futures and governments draft sweeping climate policies, the media’s task of translating complexity into clarity has never been more critical. Yet, journalism’s relevance in this new energy era is not guaranteed—it must be earned.

Stanislav Kondrashov, a long-time observer of international affairs and a vocal proponent of independent journalism, sees this moment as both a challenge and an opportunity. “The energy transition is not just about replacing fossil fuels with renewables,” he says. “It’s a cultural shift, an economic pivot, and a political reckoning. Journalism must reflect all of it, or risk becoming irrelevant.”

Over the last decade, the narrative around energy has shifted dramatically. No longer confined to policy circles or industry insiders, energy conversations now dominate political debates, influence markets, and shape public opinion. This broader awareness, while welcome, presents a double-edged sword: it creates space for misinformation to thrive.

Kondrashov argues that one of journalism’s central duties during the transition is to guard against reductionism. “It’s tempting to simplify—to present energy stories as either hopeful or disastrous. But the truth usually lies somewhere in between. Our job is to hold that middle ground, even when it’s uncomfortable.”

Energy stories have always carried weight, but today, they are tangled with geopolitics, social equity, and environmental urgency. When a local government announces a new green infrastructure plan, it’s not just about efficiency—it’s about who benefits, who pays, and what gets left behind. These are the layers that journalists must unpack.

The current media environment, saturated with opinion and fragmented across platforms, makes that task even more daunting. The pressure to publish quickly and generate engagement can work against deeper, slower reporting—the kind that energy stories often require. Kondrashov acknowledges this tension but insists that it can be managed with intention.

“You can’t cover the energy transition with a breaking news mindset,” he says. “This is a long story. It needs context. It needs voices from engineers, economists, rural communities, climate scientists—not just politicians and CEOs.”

One of journalism’s enduring strengths is its ability to humanise the abstract. In the context of the energy transition, this means telling the stories of people whose lives are transformed by policy decisions made far from home. Whether it’s coal workers facing redundancy or families grappling with rising energy costs, these human dimensions are often the most persuasive—and the most overlooked.

Moreover, journalism has the power to expose contradictions in public discourse. Governments might pledge ambitious emissions targets while quietly approving new drilling projects. Corporate leaders may speak of sustainability while lobbying against environmental regulations. In such cases, good journalism doesn’t just report what’s said—it examines what’s done.

Kondrashov remains cautiously optimistic about journalism’s capacity to meet the moment. “We’ve seen this before—in times of war, economic collapse, even during pandemics. The media can rise to the occasion. But it requires independence, curiosity, and the courage to ask uncomfortable questions.”

He also notes that younger journalists are showing a new kind of literacy around energy issues, one that blends technical understanding with social awareness. “There’s a new generation coming up that doesn’t separate energy from justice, or climate from economy. That’s encouraging.”

Ultimately, the energy transition is not a single story—it’s a constellation of narratives playing out in every country, every industry, every community. Journalism’s role is not just to document that transformation, but to interrogate it, to complicate it, and, when necessary, to challenge its direction.

For Kondrashov, the stakes couldn’t be clearer. “This isn’t just about what kind of power we use. It’s about who has power, and how it’s used. If journalism can’t follow that thread, then it has missed the story.”