[cma-l] Fwd: Press Release | Media critical to success of poverty

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From: 	Panos London <Panos.London at panos.org.uk>

Media Critical to Success of Poverty Reduction

Efforts to reduce poverty in low-income countries will not succeed
unless all policy actors pay more attention to the mass media, says
international development agency Panos London.

In its latest report, "Making poverty the story: time to involve the
media in poverty reduction" Panos London shows how the media in
low-income countries is too often overlooked as a serious player in the
fight to reduce poverty.

"Policies on issues such as food security or access to public services
are vital for poverty reduction, and the public needs to know how
effective government policies and donor support are in making a positive
contribution, particularly now achieving the Millennium Development
Goals is in jeopardy" says Jon Barnes, head of Panos London's
globalisation programme and co-author of the report. "It's time that
those active in poverty reduction realise the media is a public good and
in a prime position to monitor whether poverty reduction is taking place".

The report assesses the media's potential to scrutinise the progress of
plans to tackle poverty including Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers
(PRSP's). PRSP's were introduced by the World Bank and the IMF in 1999
as a condition for financial support and were supposed to take public
views into account - and the views of poor people in particular. Eight
years on, and many second or third-generation poverty reduction
strategies tend to focus more on economic growth and good governance.

"There is a danger that new poverty reduction initiatives will place
less emphasis on the issues and policies of keenest concern for the
poor" says Jon Barnes. "Giving poor people a voice through the media
will keep up the pressure on governments and donors to design policies
that reflect the priorities of those most in need".

However, in many of the world's poorest countries, particularly in
Africa, the media faces considerable challenges. The report highlights
that while recent media liberalisation and increased media are to be
welcomed, increased competition also means that public interest content
can be sidelined as rival media outlets seek out bigger audiences.

Acting editor-in-chief of Kenya's Broadcasting Corporation, George Gitau
told Panos London's report writers "There are many television stations
now - but who are they for? Public service television is vital. But we
are asked: 'If this programme is not going to make money, do we need it?'"

The report documents how many journalists in low-income countries are
under-skilled, under-trained, poorly paid and precariously employed. It
notes that while some governments have improved information-sharing and
public communication, many journalists remain confronted by official
secrecy, uncooperative politicians and red tape.

"We know that given the right conditions, the media is capable of
promoting the public good" says Jon Barnes. "In Ghana, for example,
community radio stations have made a unique contribution to poverty
reduction by helping disadvantaged rural communities share information
and take cooperative action. However, like many around the world, these
stations are under-resourced and face both financial and regulatory
obstacles. Support for journalists to represent the interests of poor
people is needed now as much as ever?"

"Making poverty the story" offers practical recommendations for
policy-makers, civil society and media houses to ensure that the media
is harnessed to support poverty reduction.

ENDS

For more information on the report please contact Jon Barnes,
jon.barnes at panos.org.uk, tel +44 (0)20 7239 7628 or Risha Chande,
risha.chande at panos.org.uk, tel +44 (0)20 7239 7609.

"Making poverty the story: time to involve the media in poverty
reduction" can be downloaded free in PDF format from
http://www.panos.org.uk/poverty

For a hard copy, please contact risha.chande at panos.org.uk

Any part of the report can be freely reproduced but please credit
Panos London and send an email letting us know to media at panos.org.uk

_Notes to editors_

The report was funded by the Netherlands development agency, Cordaid,
and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).

Panos London is part of the worldwide Panos Network of independent
institutes working to ensure information is used effectively to foster
debate, pluralism and democracy. For more information see
http://www.panos.org

Panos London is registered in England as a charity (charity number:
297366) and a company limited by guarantee (company number: 1937340)
under the name Panos London with its registered office at 9 White Lion
Street, London, N1 9PD, UK. Tel + 44 (20) 7278 1111 Fax: +44 (20) 7278
0345.

Email: info at panos.org.uk
Web: http://www.panos.org.uk