While our
establishment-biased media are often to
blame for inaccurate and pejorative labels,
protesters must also share the blame.
|
|
Just hearing the mainstream news media's characterization of the G-8 protesters that gathered in Genoa, Italy, has
left me, well, exacerbated. As news commentators uncritically lap up the old pabulum that leaders such as George
Bush and Tony Blair spew out of their mouths - that 'anti globalization protesters' are "no friends of the poor" or
that those who oppose 'free trade' are simply unrealistic "isolationists" - I realize how powerful labels, especially
inaccurate and pejorative labels, are in discrediting legitimate analysis and concerns. While our
establishment-biased media are often to blame, the protesters, primarily the higher profile protesters, must also
realize that they to share the blame.
The two bits that especially irk me, and severely undermine real movement towards a better world, are the label
'anti-globalization', when describing this incredibly broad coalition of advocates, and the phrase 'against trade',
when explaining what these protesters stand for. Both the mainstream media and high profile activists are guilty
of simply regurgitating these statements, and for failing to call them into question whenever they are uttered.
|
Two suggestions: 1) change the label
"anti-globalization" to "pro-democracy", and 2) change the
phrase "against trade" to "for fair trade".
|
|
My 2 bit suggestion is as follows: 1) the label "anti-globalization" be changed to "pro-democracy", and 2) the
phrase "against trade" be changed to "for fair trade". This would immediately help to re-frame the debate and
could inspire both journalists and citizens to begin asking different and more pressing questions, which could
help our global society truly 'progress'.
For example, when hearing the demonstrators call themselves 'pro-democracy' protesters, one might be moved to
ask and investigate how organizations, elite gatherings of nations, and trade agreements such as the World
Trade Organization (WTO), G-8 meetings, and NATFA (and possibly the FTAA) respectively, undermine the
rights and living conditions of the vast multitude of people. Such a person might realize that critical public
interest decisions are being taken out of more local democratic jurisdictions and put into the hands of
unaccountable supranational corporate agents. Or a journalist might wonder why powerful international financial
institutions like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) force poor countries like Ecuador
and Honduras to privatize their water management facilities and telecommunications services, in exchange for
'aid' or 'loan' packages. If a person, any person, took the time to look into the concerns and arguments of
'pro-democracy' protesters it would be quickly found that the present version of corporate-led globalization, and
the dominant institutions and agreements that enforce it, overwhelmingly benefits the privileged few at the direct
expense of the great majority of the worlds 6 billion+ people.
|
Characterizing protesters as 'for fair trade' is far from being
'isolationist' or 'nationalistic.' They are quite internationalist,
and actually embrace globalization - social globalization.
|
|
If journalists would start characterizing the people that have gathered in Seattle, Quebec and Genoa as being 'for
fair trade', they might realize that far from being 'isolationist' or 'nationalistic' these protesters are quite
internationalist, and actually embrace globalization - social globalization. Our media, and their audiences, could
learn that 'pro-democracy' protesters are for globalizing more humane labour standards, responsible
environmental regulations, and human rights. An enterprising journalist might learn about the years of hard work
(from 1980 to 1992) that the UN Centre on Trsansnational Corporations spent drafting a "Code of Conduct for
Transnational Corporations" that would have truly helped the people of the world escape poverty, and the earth
avert an environmental crisis. Such a journalist would also find that this code of conduct for multinational
corporations was lobbied off the 1992 Rio Earth Summit agenda, where it was to be signed, by George Bush Sr.
and no less than the multinationals that it was designed to hold to account. Since then, we've seen a litany of
proposed global agreements and codes - like NAFTA, the (temporarily) failed Multilateral Agreement on
Investment (MAI), and all-to-regular WTO decisions - which have dramatically tilted the balance of global
activities in favour of the exploitative practices of multinational corporate interests and away from the real needs
of the people of the world (Note:Most pro-democracy advocates aren't 'anti-business' or 'anti-corporate', but
'pro-responsible business' or 'pro-responsible corporations'). Re-framing our present global predicament is the
first step towards truly understanding it. Once understood, informed actions and responsible policies will follow.
Onwards 'pro-democracy' and 'fair trade' advocates. The re-framed global movement for democracy is just
beginning. RNN
|
This Article (now a Real News Brief) was originally submitted as an Op-Ed article to Canada's major daily newspapers - the Globe and Mail, the
National Post, and the Toronto Star - on the morning of Friday July 20, 2001 (Just prior to the Genoa G-8 Summit/Protests). However, none of
them gave it the light of day.
In October RNN will be publishing an in depth investigative report on the state and potential of Canada's
media landscape entitled: "Canada's Most Critical Moment: Protecting Our Democracy Through Media
Reform". Copies of this special 40-page investigative report can be obtained for $8 (Price includes
shipping and taxes. International orders add $2). Mail, and make check payable, to: the Real News
Network, 35 Green Valley Dr., Unit #1204, Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, N2P 2A5.
Paul D. Boin is an investigative journalist and media educator based in Ontario, Canada. Paul is the
founder of the Real News Network (RNN to be officially launched in October), and is presently
completing his doctoral degree in Education (within the program focus of Critical Global and Community
Issues, at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education of the University of Toronto), and has
concentrated his dissertation research on media and democracy issues. Paul is also a co-founder of
Media Democracy Day(www.MediaDemocracyDay.org) – 1st Annual this October 19th. Paul is presently
working on a book entitled "Reclaiming Our Minds: Towards a Democratic News Media and Society", to
be published in 2002. He can be reached at pboin@home.com
© Copyright Paul D. Boin, 2001
"That to know and not to act is not to know."
Wang Yang-Ming, Chinese philosopher
The Real News Network (RNN) is an independent media organization devoted to informing the people of the world of vital issues that have bearing
on their society, environment, economy, and future. RNN conducts original investigative journalism and news media analysis, while amplifying real
news stories as they appear in any, and all, media. If you would like a copy of Real News Brief #1 or for more information contact: pboin@home.com
PLEASE: Feel free to print, post, and e-mail this Real News Brief (in its entirety) onto Web sites,
individuals, organizations, policy makers, educators, and journalists.
If you would like to SUBSCRIBE to the Real News Brief's, send an e-mail to pboin@home.com with
"SUBSCRIBE" (all caps) in the subject box (nothing in the body of the message).
If you would like to UN-SUBSCRIBE to the Real News Brief's, send an e-mail to pboin@home.com with
"UN-SUBSCRIBE" (all caps) in the subject box (nothing in the body of the message).
|
|
