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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

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Coming up: why and what

1. Issues in coverage

2. SA’s journalism of poverty

3. A strategy for improvement

4. Conclusion: making impact

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1. Issues in coverage

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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!

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The poverty of journalism: 2

We remember women, race (sometimes), not (under)class.

Our newsvalues discount poor people.

Solutions-oriented journalism is atypical.

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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.

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A complex topic: 2

Poverty is often hidden under other frames – crime, gender, AIDS, strikes, unemployment.

Challenge to cover a process vs. event

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Price of inaction:

Left to “business as usual”, result is: little coverage ad hoc coverage uncreative coverage reactive coverage low impact coverage

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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.

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2. SA track record

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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.

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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.

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Who we’re told is “responsible”:

Causes:

Bad luck Cruel nature Apartheid Backwardness

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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

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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

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3. Making a difference

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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

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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)

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Strategy empowers you to:

Recognise real achievements. Seek out solutions. Stop conflating race & poverty. Remember gender. Train for depth & think-pieces.

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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)

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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!

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4. In conclusion:making impact

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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.

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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.

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