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| Media, aid and democracy: understanding a complex relationship | Media, aid and democracy: understanding a complex relationship |
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| In her book 'Reporting Disasters', Suzanne Franks writes that "the BBC coverage of the Ethiopian famine in 1984-85 was an iconic news event." Not only was Michael Buerk's report from Korem (heavily dependent on shocking images of death and devastation) a seminal moment in the reporting of humanitarian crises, it – and other subsequent reports – reduced the famine to an 'act of God', helped shape the relationship between NGOs and the media (one in which charities desperate for funding feed a media sector desperate for evocative stories) and has contributed to the 'infantalisation' of Africa. | In her book 'Reporting Disasters', Suzanne Franks writes that "the BBC coverage of the Ethiopian famine in 1984-85 was an iconic news event." Not only was Michael Buerk's report from Korem (heavily dependent on shocking images of death and devastation) a seminal moment in the reporting of humanitarian crises, it – and other subsequent reports – reduced the famine to an 'act of God', helped shape the relationship between NGOs and the media (one in which charities desperate for funding feed a media sector desperate for evocative stories) and has contributed to the 'infantalisation' of Africa. |
| Though the book examines events that happened almost three decades ago, Franks' conclusion that the coverage of the famine "highlighted the terrible paradox that the sight of faraway suffering might motivate thousands of individuals to offer their help, but these good intentions are not enough and could do even more harm than good," is proving a relevant challenge to today's humanitarian community. Leigh Daynes, executive director of Doctors of the World UK writes: "This new work challenges us to examine anew our practice, our capacity to engage with and communicate complexity, and to consider the broader social, political and historic contexts in which we work. It challenges us to consider the authenticity of our partnership with poor people in the pursuit of fairness and justice." | Though the book examines events that happened almost three decades ago, Franks' conclusion that the coverage of the famine "highlighted the terrible paradox that the sight of faraway suffering might motivate thousands of individuals to offer their help, but these good intentions are not enough and could do even more harm than good," is proving a relevant challenge to today's humanitarian community. Leigh Daynes, executive director of Doctors of the World UK writes: "This new work challenges us to examine anew our practice, our capacity to engage with and communicate complexity, and to consider the broader social, political and historic contexts in which we work. It challenges us to consider the authenticity of our partnership with poor people in the pursuit of fairness and justice." |
| But, as usual, it's all easier said than done. Communicating complexity alone has proved a divisive subject on the Network. When David Humphries director of communications at Global Communities, wrote that "good media coverage and honest examination of complex issues are not mutually exclusive" , Jonathan Tanner of ODI argued in response that it was best for those "in the business of trying to communicate messages about how to help others build themselves a brighter future ... not to get too fixated on the lament that it's all very hard to explain." | But, as usual, it's all easier said than done. Communicating complexity alone has proved a divisive subject on the Network. When David Humphries director of communications at Global Communities, wrote that "good media coverage and honest examination of complex issues are not mutually exclusive" , Jonathan Tanner of ODI argued in response that it was best for those "in the business of trying to communicate messages about how to help others build themselves a brighter future ... not to get too fixated on the lament that it's all very hard to explain." |
| So beyond the soul-searching at individual organisations, is it time we reappraise the entire media-NGO relationship? What should be the purpose of development communications? What should the media's responsibility be? Lastly, much of this debate revolves around western media and NGOs – where does that leave local and citizen media? | So beyond the soul-searching at individual organisations, is it time we reappraise the entire media-NGO relationship? What should be the purpose of development communications? What should the media's responsibility be? Lastly, much of this debate revolves around western media and NGOs – where does that leave local and citizen media? |
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