Make Poverty History
We had a good time yesterday at Holy Space our congregation that meets in a local bar fortnightly. We were discussing the Tsunami, the questions it had raised and the response we should make. One interesting thought was how much is our response dictated by the media. A few years ago 200, 000 people were killed in Gujarrat, yet it wasn't an area where tourists hung out or pictures of big waves happened so while it was reported, the response was nothing like as big as it has been this time. How can we insure that our response to disaster and poverty are consistent and not sensational. Getting involved with the Make Poverty History campaign might be one way.
We had a good time yesterday at Holy Space our congregation that meets in a local bar fortnightly. We were discussing the Tsunami, the questions it had raised and the response we should make. One interesting thought was how much is our response dictated by the media. A few years ago 200, 000 people were killed in Gujarrat, yet it wasn't an area where tourists hung out or pictures of big waves happened so while it was reported, the response was nothing like as big as it has been this time. How can we insure that our response to disaster and poverty are consistent and not sensational. Getting involved with the Make Poverty History campaign might be one way.
4 Comments:
good point Si. and as far as i'm aware the same number of people die of preventable diseases in Africa on a regular basis (can't remember whether it's daily/weekly etc.). it's right that we are distraught by the Tsunami victims but why aren't we similarly distraught about those in Africa?
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Matt, at 12:07 PM
I agree that the needs of Africa are as pressing as the current needs of Asia, but I do not think the reporting of the Tsunami was hyped out of proportion. Most of us (sadly) *need* the media to grab us by the collar and shake us around before we do anything - it conscientizes us - the 'Make Poverty History' campaign is doing exactly the same, and rightly so. The word sensationalisation makes little sense when we are talking about an event which was *genuinely* sensational - both in its nature and impact. I'm not saying the media always get it right, but I do find myself disagreeing with the comments here.
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Steve, at 1:06 PM
I think Steve you misunderstood my comment it was not the sensational nature of the event or the coverage that is the issue, rather the fact that if it hadn't been for the western tourist's being present and it being a quiet news time of year, I don't think the media would have paid it half the attention they did. My question is do we wait for the media to set the agenda or do we try to ensure that we're consistent in our response to poverty and disaster even when it doesn't make the press.
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Simon, at 6:20 PM
Steve - just to add visited your website after posting my comment and you're obviously doing something consistently - more power to you..
By
Simon, at 6:32 PM
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