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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? |
| Join us online at 1pm GMT this Thursday, 12 December, for our last live chat of the year. | Join us online at 1pm GMT this Thursday, 12 December, for our last live chat of the year. |
| The live chat is not video or audio-enabled but will take place in the comments section (below). If you are unable to get online on Thursday, or to recommend someone for the panel, email your views to globaldevpros@theguardian.com. Follow our tweets using the hashtag #globaldevlive. | The live chat is not video or audio-enabled but will take place in the comments section (below). If you are unable to get online on Thursday, or to recommend someone for the panel, email your views to globaldevpros@theguardian.com. Follow our tweets using the hashtag #globaldevlive. |
| Panel | |
| Suzanne Franks, professor of journalism, City University, London, UK. @suzannehfranks Suzanne was for many years a television news and current affairs journalist with the BBC. She is now teaches a course on humanitarian communications. | |
| Ricardo Corredor Cure, executive director, Gabriel García Márquez Journalism Foundation, Cartagena, Colombia. @ricorredor Ricardo has a long experience of working on issues related to media and journalism for development in Latin America, having worked with civil society organisations from Brazil, Colombia, and the United States. Javier Farje, journalist, Latin America Bureau, London, UK. @farje Javier's been a journalist for 35 years, graduated in his native Peru, then studying in London. He's editor of Lab, a contributor with Hispan TV, a blogger for El Pais and a trainer with One World Media. | |
| James Deane, director of policy and learning, BBC Media Action, London, England. @jamesmdeane James was a founding member of the Panos Institute, London and before joining BBC Media Action in 2007, was managing director of the Communication for Social Change Consortium, set up by the Rockefeller Foundation. | |
| Tess Newton Cain, principal, Devpacific, Port Vila, Vanuatu. @CainTess Tess is an independent consultant whose clients have included the World Bank, WHO, AusAid and the New Zealand government. She uses strategic communications to move organisations from "awareness raising" to true information sharing, leading to action. | |
| Nadene Ghouri, reporter, author and global media development consultant, St Leonards on Sea, East Sussex. @nadeneghouri Twice nominated for both the Amnesty International Media Awards, Nadene was winner of the Human Trafficking Foundation Media Awards (best newspaper investigation) in 2012. She now consults on media development issues. | |
| Camila Nobrega, editor, Canal Ibase, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. @Camila__nobrega Camila previously worked at O Globo newspaper, part of the leading media company in Brazil. She now covers the environment, social justice, the solidarity economy for Canal Ibase. | |
| Martin Scott, lecturer in media and international development, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK. @martinscott2010 Martin teach on courses in media, politics and development at undergraduate and postgraduate level. His research is primarily concerned with media coverage of development and the global south. | |
| More to follow... | |
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