Articles
Who watches the watchers?
It can be a depressing experience to read a newspaper these days. While there has never been a ‘golden age’ of reporting in Europe, in the last couple of decades the landscape of journalism has changed in ways that should worry both journalists and their readers alike. There may be those who laugh at the idea. We have one of the most free presses in the world, with more news than ever on 24 hour channels, interactivity on a massive scale and hard won media laws that protect journalists hunting down the truth.
Minority report?
In reality, there are some worrying trends that indicate a slide into populism and sensationalism in the mainstream media. Of course, the situation varies from country to country and paper to paper. And it’s also true that there are some genuinely worthwhile stories coming out of the modern media.
Yet for minorities – migrants, disabled, ethnic minorities or gay communities, for example – this means it can be difficult to find (positive) representation in newspapers, on TV or the radio. 
Why is this happening? Nick Davies, a writer for the UK newspaper The Guardian, questions the impact of mainstream media on the lives of minorities. Lazy, under-resourced reporting with an over reliance on PR and sensationalism have all created an atmosphere where the truth comes second to riding the wave of anti-minority populism. If it sells papers to say immigrants bring disease and cause crime, it will often be a front page story, whether it’s the truth (or at least the whole truth) or not.
Often it’s what is left out of the papers that expose their disregard for truth-telling. The UN reported this August the most underreported stories, including the conflict and refugee camps in the Congo, the fighting in Somalia, and endemic poverty caused by unfair global trade agreements. This happens at a national level, too. Asylum seekers can be vilified in the UK press because it’s easier than showing a complex situation with no clear villains, victims and heroes. As Loay Mudhoon, editor-in-chief of German internet portal qantara.de, pointed out, there is little room for illustrating context in media outlets that prioritise getting the scoop above the impact they have on the communities and individuals they report on.
What are the alternatives?
One of the dilemmas is whether minority press, like the Turkish paper Zaman in Germany for example, dissuades integration and creates ‘ghettos’ within societies. It also means those who are majority are less likely to ever learn about minority issues. Others argue that people have always had different identities within their life and acknowledging one doesn’t diminish the others. And why should migrants be forced to assimilate into mainstream culture, anyway? There are plenty of Europeans who go to far flung (and not so far flung) places and never learn more than ‘two beers please’ in the local language.
Though not exhaustive, here are my favourite links to different minority media organisations around Europe that try to give minorities a platform:
- More colour in the media - www.olmcm.org
- Roma media network - rrommedia.net
- Muslim media network - muslimmedianetwork.com
- Muslimah media watch - muslimahmediawatch.org
- Gay and lesbian association in Europe - www.ilga-europe.org
Posted in | 15.11.08
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