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By Danny Schechter
Mediachannel.org
NEW
YORK, JUNE 13, 2005 — Before the telegraph
and the phone and the satellite, Africans communicated through
a people's technology, the drum. Today, the e-mail list and
the Web have become the world's new drum, modern communications
tools that operate outside or in the shadows of the glare of
the Big Media circus. It's these new drummers that have made
African debt the issue it is, not governments or media outlets.
That's partly because the western media still tend to ignore
and marginalize Africa, even as NGO organizations and development
crusaders -- along with rock stars like Bono and his ONE campaign
organizers -- worked very hard for years to put African debt
issues on the global agenda.
According to the New York Times, an impressive 160 million people
got involved in one way or another to pressure western governments
to cancel billion dollars of debt that poorer countries can't
pay. And, lo and behold, this effort has now hit pay dirt as
Tony Blair,
in a bid to improve his image and legacy, has persuaded the
G8 countries to lift a debt burden from 18 countries worth $40
billion (22 billion pounds sterling, 33 billion euros).
George Bush, whose policies toward Africa have been criticized
for "benign neglect," was pushed to back Blair, and so Washington
has joined the debt-burning party overseas. (This is the same
Administration that lobbied for the new bankruptcy bill to ensure
than millions of Americans carrying $800 billon in credit card
debt can no longer declare bankruptcy and must pay through the
nose. And never mind the escalating trillions in U.S. national
debt.)
The initial reaction to what seems to be an act of western compassion
and benevolence has been positive. The press coverage seems
very upbeat as well, with Bono and singer Bob Geldof praising
the new policy which international lending agencies have yet
to ratify.
"Tomorrow, 280 million Africans will wake up for the first time
in their lives without owing you or me a penny," said Geldof,
who is organizing the Live 8 concerts, which are being criticized
for a lack of black and African performers. (Pink Floyd announced
they are reuniting to perform.)
BBC reports: "Anti-poverty campaigners have also welcomed the
deal -- but say they want more nations to benefit."
Explains South Africa's Archbishop Tutu: "It is a splendid start
and one hopes that they will, from here, go on to cancel all
debt for most of the countries -- I gather it is about 62 countries
-- who are heavily indebted."
Adds BBC: "Ugandan Information Minister Nsaba Buturo --
whose country will benefit immediately -- told AFP the decision
was 'commendable', but added: 'It's something that should have
been done yesterday.'
"Ethiopia's Finance Minister Sofian Ahmed said his country's
debt cancellation was 'very encouraging', assuming there were
no strings attached."
But, alas, there ARE strings attached, not to mention continuing
chains of dependency in a world where the rich are getting richer
and the poor are getting poorer every day. Few media accounts
are putting this news in the larger context of what critics
of neo-liberalism call "global apartheid."
Unfortunately, this analysis is often hinted at but rarely spelled
out. Geldof adds: "The end will not be achieved until we have
the complete package... of debt cancellation, doubling of aid,
and trade justice."
The World Development
Movement says: "Our fear is that the economic strings attached
to this deal means it will be years before many of them benefit,
and under the current deal some never will."
Romilly Greenhill of Action Aid said, "It will do little to
immediately help millions in at least 40 other countries that
also need debt relief."
MediaChannel.org advisor Anna Kaca, who has been monitoring
the story, writes to me from Finland that:
1)
Not all developing countries will get their debts cancelled.
2) Bair suggests that the interest rates for the debts, the
loans, should be paid by the rich countries during a period
of years. After that the developing countries should pay off
the original sums of their loans themselves.
3) The countries that receive the Blair debt cancellation
model are obliged to sign up on an economic and political
program of reforms that are largely neo-liberal.
She
also points out that Blair is under intense political pressure
in Britain, with major protests slated for Scotland when the
G8 assembles in July.
More skepticism is needed, argues the CatsDream
blog:
"Is
it possible to ask a couple of questions about Make Poverty
History? Or is this another slogan, another PR campaign like
Weapons of Mass Destruction, Support Our Troops, War on Terror,
Export Democracy? Also, if this is another propaganda operation,
what's the trick?
"Africa and its tragedies. Wouldn't it be interesting to know
where all these tragedies come from? Wouldn't it be helpful
to understand at least some of the reasons why so many people
suffer terribly and die of treatable diseases? What about
colonialism? Water, food and medicines, of course. But what
about the economy and the plans imposed by western powers,
the World Bank and the IMF. The never ending wars, of
course. And what about selling Africa billions of weapons?
"So, why Make Poverty History? What's behind all this love
and good feelings we are presented 24-7 on TV?
For which reason are people like Blair, Brown, Bush,
Wolfowitz so eager to help Africa? I don't doubt the good
intentions and the honest feelings of Bono and Geldof. (BUT)
those who have the power to take decisions will use any mean
to build consent around their power, hide their real agenda
and using the popularity of rock stars and showbiz people
at their own advantage. What do you think it's the reason
for all these Sirs and Lords and Ladies, after all?"
These
are important questions even if the author's English is a second
language.
Can we ask our "friends" in the media to start asking tougher
questions and report on the causes of this crisis, and who benefits
from Africa's distress? Are African programs such as NEPAD (the
New Partnership for African Development) working? Can they?
What is the neo-liberal agenda here and its impact?
Are we seeing a real victory for Africa? Should we be beating
drums for the limited debt cancellations or for more pressure
on the rich and powerful? Can't the media do more to press for
more fundamental change?
— MediaChannel.org's News Dissector, Danny Schechter,
has reported extensively on African affairs. His latest film
is "WMD (Weapons of Mass
Deception)."
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