1 A strategy for covering poverty Presentation to: Peninsula Technikon Media Students Conference, “The Role of Media in Poverty Alleviation” 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

3 1. Issues in coverage

4 The poverty of journalism: 1 Poverty does not have to be covered. It seldom forces its way into news. Poverty needs enterprise reporting  Few 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: 1 Poverty 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 institutions Conscience of rich people Empowerment of the poor On global compassion & solidarity.

10 2. SA track record

11 SA journalism of poverty: good We 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.

13 Who we’re told is “responsible”: Causes:  Bad luck  Cruel nature  Apartheid  Backwardness

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

16 3. Making a difference

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 point Be proactive and pre-plan Make links Allow new formats: not only events. Use newspegs (petrol, weather) Get voices Build 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 expose Debate 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!

22 4. In conclusion: making impact

23 Take your coverage all the way: I mpact on policy, practice, agendas, public opinion, attitudes, understanding, emotions, skills. A nd 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.

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