1 a strategy for covering poverty presentation to: peninsula technikon media students conference,...
TRANSCRIPT
1
A strategy for covering poverty
Presentation to: Peninsula Technikon
Media Students Conference, “The Role of Media in Poverty Alleviation”. 20-24 Oct, 2003
Guy Berger Rhodes University
2
Coming up: why and what
1. Issues in coverage
2. SA’s journalism of poverty
3. A strategy for improvement
4. Conclusion: making impact
4
The poverty of journalism: 1
Poverty does not have to be covered.
It seldom forces its way into news.
Poverty needs enterprise reportingFew press releases!
5
The poverty of journalism: 2
We remember women, race (sometimes), not (under)class.
Our newsvalues discount poor people.
Solutions-oriented journalism is atypical.
6
A complex topic: 1Poverty has many faces:
powerlessness, hunger, homelessness, illness, stress, struggle …
Hard to reduce, and link so therefore you get singular stories:
manifestation (eg.streetkid) or broad concept (eg. poverty resolutions), and no linkage.
disconnect between policy and practice.
7
A complex topic: 2
Poverty is often hidden under other frames – crime, gender, AIDS, strikes, unemployment.
Challenge to cover a process vs. event
8
Price of inaction:
Left to “business as usual”, result is: little coverage ad hoc coverage uncreative coverage reactive coverage low impact coverage
9
Potential to make a difference:
Good coverage can impact:
On policy of govt, business, schools, etc On practices of these institutionsConscience of rich peopleEmpowerment of the poor On global compassion & solidarity.
11
SA journalism of poverty: goodWe do have some coverage.It is sympathetic – recognises our
history.But:Elite/business bias (JSE prices).Racialised – starving or fat cats.Racialised – empowerment gloss-over.Poor seen as victims needing hand-outs.Too little debate about cause & solution.
12
SA journalism of poverty: bad
Unfortunately: Elite/business bias (JSE prices).Racialised – starving or fat cats.Racialised – empowerment gloss-over.Poor seen as victims needing hand-outs.Too little debate about cause & solution.
14
Whose “responsibility” is it?:
Solutions – “Delivery mindset”:
• Government praised or panned by politicians Government by default (thus: charity stories) Civil society organs (churches, NGOs) Non-poor individuals
Let off the hook: the rich, business people global system poor people themselves
15
Challenges in changing all this:
Distinguish the issues:Poverty does not equate to race.
Keep the stories in the news.Link the general and the particular.Overturn paradigm of poor as “in deficit”:
Recognise their riches and potentials.Establish real cause and effect:
multi-stakeholder responsibility
17
What’s 2B done?:Set up a poverty beat? Or:A poverty strategy that applies to all
coverage broadly? Politics, economics, lifestyle, courts, human
interest, sport, etc. A strategy needs:
a value statement a vision a mission a policy a plan
18
A strategy enables you to:Take a pro-poor vantage pointBe proactive and pre-planMake linksAllow new formats: not only events.Use newspegs (petrol, weather)Get voicesBuild sources (AIDS orphan families)
19
Strategy empowers you to:
Recognise real achievements. Seek out solutions. Stop conflating race & poverty. Remember gender. Train for depth & think-pieces.
20
Strategy helps you to:Remember the politics of poverty
Eg. Sunday Times lottery exposeDebate policies, give voices from frontline,
inspire, educate, break-hearts.
Are editors giving leadership?Reporters should push:
“Demand more time, agitate for more space, revisit the subject” (US journalist)
21
Strategy tells you to set up systems
Appoint/become a newsroom champion.Make it a standing item on news diary.Define indicators to monitor performance.Report to staff, critique and praise.
A strategy must be
an ongoing, living animal!
23
Take your coverage all the way:Impact on policy, practice,
agendas, public opinion, attitudes, understanding, emotions, skills.
And impact on your own identity: Your commitment, sensitivity,
strategic role, and skills.
24
Outcomes:
P: Press can play a role O: Only if you’re pro-active O: Organise a strategy R: Reap the results - reduce poverty!
You can help make journalism be a full part of the rich resources for reconstructing our humanity.