| 8 September 2010 |
| Media for Social and Economic Justice |
The International Catholic Union of the Press (UCIP) has been bringing out documents from time to time reflecting on events and policies worldwide. These documents have become a great source of inspiration to journalists and media professionals everywhere. They help towards reflection, analysis and achievement. A UCIP document is also an instrument to make known the position of the worldwide Union. The general assembly held at Rome in December 2008 decided that UCIP should bring out a document on the theme "Media for Social and Economic Justice", in order to emphasise the importance and role of journalism in finding lasting solutions to problems we all face worldwide. The theme is highly relevant and timely in these times of financial crisis and world economic turmoil. Following various debates and discussions on various drafts by members from all continents, the General Assembly 2009 adopted the document “Media for Social and Economic Justice". Those who prepared this document include national associations of writers and journalists in Europe, Asia, North America, Africa, Middle East, the Caribbean and Oceania as well as professors and experts as well as UCIP general assembly members and specialists worldwide.
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1. Preamble
Social and economic justice forms the foundation for a peaceful and prosperous world. Therefore it is a pre-requisite for any initiative: political, commercial, military or aid-related aid.
For tens of thousands of years, humanity has striven to establish the founding principles of justice and respect on all levels with the help of conventions, rituals, laws, cultures, scriptures and science.
World history shows that humanity has always striven to reach these ideals of respect, justice and coexistence among peoples and nature. Only a relatively small number, who succeeded in becoming truly free, were able to understand these noble ideals and attain these heights.
In his recent encyclical Caritas in Veritate (Love in Truth), Pope Benedict XVI advocates: “The current crisis obliges us to re-plan our journey, to set ourselves new rules and to discover new forms of commitment, to build on positive experiences and to reject negative ones. The crisis thus becomes an opportunity for discernment, in which to shape a new vision for the future. In this spirit, with confidence rather than resignation, it is appropriate to address the difficulties of the present time.” (2009, Caritas in Veritate, Article 21).
The majority become victims of the minority who use force and weapons to control, govern and make all the decisions. The Nobel Prize-winning economist, Dr Amartya Sen argues that “inequalities of power matter as much as inequalities of income”.
Journalists and media experts have a special responsibility to ensure that social and economic justice worldwide prevail with the purpose of eliminating conflicts, wars and other disasters. This document aims at inspiring journalists and media experts, so that they can work towards establishing exemplary levels of justice and peace worldwide by bringing up this issue at world forums and at decision- and policy-making levels.
2. Context
In recent years, the world has been going through unprecedented economic, environmental, food and social crises, beginning with the crisis of the 1930s. The world has witnessed such crises normally following major wars, natural catastrophes where huge numbers of lives are lost.
However, the current financial crisis that has been going on since 2007 is not the result of major conflicts or natural catastrophes but due to the greed of persons and financial institutions, more interested in multiplying their profits at the expense of small investors, savers and homeowners rather than contributing to bringing about more just societies.
As Mahatma Gandhi said, there is a sufficiency for every one’s need but not for everyone’s greed. The crisis brought to light the failures of our economic system that has enabled a few to become rich while the major part of humanity remains poor.
The roots of the current crisis can be found in the neo-liberal economic model, which is based on the free flow of trade and services. Thus money flows between countries and within countries without or with only the minimum state interference.
In this uncontrolled flow of capital and resources, the profit-making attitude loses connection with the real world. Suddenly, an enormous amount of money disappeared overnight leaving millions homeless and jobless around the world. The system collapsed because a few individuals became the unjust owners of the common capital and resources belonging to peoples worldwide.
A very large proportion of the world’s peoples live in subhuman conditions, while a relatively small minority seem to live well. The financial crisis has further aggravated the situation of the majority and even produced victims from among the well-off minority, reducing the minority to an even smaller club.
It is not fair to avoid this issue by saying that things have been like that for a long time. Humanity has always tried to make this world a just and peaceful place but even actions promoted in the name of good intentions have not produced results and have even widened the gap between the rich and the poor, the powerful and the powerless.
When crises occurred in the past journalists were able to speak out and show the way to people as well as their leaders. And that is the noble history of journalism. Now the world has reached a point of “no exit” and has been revolving around the vicious circle of capitalism, greed and a show of power subjecting the world to consumerism, standardisation, destruction of the environment, globalisation, widespread underpaying of workers, and permanent dependence of the poor on the rich.
Unfortunately, profit-making has become a “dignified” and “accepted” goal for everything even for the most basic and fundamental needs such as education, health, shelter, food, friendship and human contact. It has perpetuated the economic class system on a worldwide scale.
If our world continues the way it has been going for the past centuries, the financial crisis may appear as just the tip of a huge iceberg which embraces world economic, political and social systems and conventions.
Therefore, it is necessary that we move our base from an iceberg to a solid foundation on rock. Journalists and media experts are the people to explore these issues and to make it a priority on the world agenda. And UCIP hopes that this document will help them in their noble act.
3. Major failures of the present economic system
First, those who created the prevailing capitalistic model of world economy amass the wealth of others by unjust means. Thus laws are made in favour of concentrating wealth and resources into a few hands.
Second, the present world economy categorises people into different levels, races, ethnic or religious groups. Perceptions, prejudices and value systems are formed accordingly.
Third, the capitalist system we all are obliged to follow has been created and is sustained by and in the interests of those who have conquered the world by using force and military might. It began with total injustice and does not take into consideration the will and welfare of the whole of creation.
Fourth, the value of services, goods and currencies are fixed by a few who make unjust profits through the fabrication of perverted laws imposed all over the world.
Fifth, the present economic system takes it for granted that the poor should remain poor and the rich may get richer at the expense of others, though it claims to be the best way of providing opportunities for anyone to upgrade his or her social and economic status.
Sixth, even some charitable initiatives have become an area for unjust profit-making activities, enterprises, societies and individuals. These “good-will” initiatives are used more and more to cover up huge irregularities and injustices and to put up a sympathetic face.
4. The concept and bases of a sound and just economy
A sound and just economy can be founded only on the basis of equal respect to all, irrespective of any differences.
To all persons of whatever origin or culture belongs the right to receive the just value and price for their goods and to be remunerated for their services. Remuneration and social security and benefits are not to be decided based on one’s origins, race or colour.
A private home is built with the full involvement of body and spirit, intelligence and physical strength, technique and hard work. All these elements play an equal and proper role in making initiatives a reality. All need to be rewarded equally and justly so that all can live in dignity and respect.
Similarly in the larger world, ideas and labour, body and spirit complement each other to bring about the dreams of all. Therefore all parties involved must be rewarded in a way which allows social and economic justice to prevail.
5. Policies and consequences
Economic policies must be made with the involvement of all levels of society. The present economic policies are made on the basis of military strength and power and under the strong influence of business lobbies. Consequently they are not just economically, socially or in any other way.
The policies prevailing in these days value the services and goods originating in one part of the world, while devaluing even better services and goods in other areas.
Such discrimination based mainly on power does not help social or economic justice. It gives way to poverty and hence to evils like terrorism, unwanted immigration, continuing slavery, moral degeneration, adoption, prostitution of all kinds, trafficking of drugs and organs, women, children, capital, goods and services.
The perpetuation of unjust policies perpetuates the disastrous consequences of making people permanently dependent on aid which itself is so often tied with strings leading to further despoliation. Some aid workers often err intentionally in order to achieve their own goals which are in contradiction with the welfare and common good of those they are supposed to be helping.
Present day policies are shaped so that a few can continue to “enjoy” while the vast majority are destined to suffer.
6. Role of the media with regard to social and economic issues
Media experts and journalists have probably the most important role to play with regard to social and economic issues. Journalism is the profession where critical thinking and in-depth analysis in favour of global welfare must precede any word or action.
In this sense, no one can be a journalist if he or she discriminates or devalues the other in the name of national, ethnical or religious pride. A journalist is at the service of humanity and nature and not at the service of the vested interests of a few.
The media have to rise above differences – which at the same time need to be distinguished and appreciated in order to serve the greater aims and welfare of all. Thus the media can bring to light constantly, every day and every minute, the policies and actions that go against the common good and welfare together with their devastating consequences.
If the media are not able to do this, there is no one else to expose these injustices. There is also the need to create supra-national, supra-interest and supra-cultural media that can really serve humanity at large and taking into consideration diverse viewpoints and life experiences.
All journalists, editors and experts, irrespective of their working conditions and salary scales must consider their supreme call to serve humanity at large. Probably this is the only way to progress and gradually establish social and economic justice.
7. Contribution of the Church
The Church, as a universal body, has tremendously contributed to social and economic justice. Several papal encyclicals and documents on this theme have been the source of inspiration and guidance. Here are just some extracts:
(1891, Rerum Novarum, Article 3): “Remedy must be found quickly for the misery and wretchedness pressing so unjustly on the majority of the working class: for the ancient workingmen's guilds were abolished in the last century, and no other protective organisation took their place. Public institutions and the laws set aside the ancient religion. Hence, by degrees it has come to pass that working men have been surrendered, isolated and helpless, to the hardheartedness of employers and the greed of unchecked competition. The mischief has been increased by rapacious usury, which, although more than once condemned by the Church, is nevertheless, under a different guise, but with like injustice, still practised by covetous and grasping men. To this must be added that the hiring of labour and the conduct of trade are concentrated in the hands of comparatively few; so that a small number of very rich men have been able to lay upon the teeming masses of the labouring poor a yoke little better than that of slavery itself. “
(1972, World Day of Peace): “If you want peace, work for justice.”
(1991, Centesimus annus, Article 34): ”It would appear that, on the level of individual nations and of international relations, the free market is the most efficient instrument for utilising resources and effectively responding to needs. But this is true only for those needs which are ‘solvent‘, insofar as they are endowed with purchasing power, and for those resources which are ‘marketable‘, insofar as they are capable of obtaining a satisfactory price. But there are many human needs which find no place on the market. It is a strict duty of justice and truth not to allow fundamental human needs to remain unsatisfied, and not to allow those burdened by such needs to perish. It is also necessary to help these needy people to acquire expertise, to enter the circle of exchange, and to develop their skills in order to make the best use of their capacities and resources. Even prior to the logic of a fair exchange of goods and the forms of justice appropriate to it, there exists something which is due to man because he is man, by reason of his lofty dignity. Inseparable from that required ‘something‘ is the possibility to survive and, at the same time, to make an active contribution to the common good of humanity.”
(2009, Caritas in Veritate, Article 23): “It should be stressed that progress of a merely economic and technological kind is insufficient. Development needs above all to be true and integral. The mere fact of emerging from economic backwardness, though positive in itself, does not resolve the complex issues of human advancement, neither for the countries that are spearheading such progress, nor for those that are already economically developed, nor even for those that are still poor, which can suffer not just through old forms of exploitation, but also from the negative consequences of a growth that is marked by irregularities and imbalances.”
(2009, Caritas in Veritate, 65) : “Financiers must rediscover the genuinely ethical foundation of their activity, so as not to abuse the sophisticated instruments which can serve to betray the interests of savers.”
(2009, Caritas in Veritate, 67): “In the face of the unrelenting growth of global interdependence, there is a strongly felt need, even in the midst of a global recession, for a reform of the United Nations Organisation, and likewise of economic institutions and international finance, so that the concept of the family of nations can acquire real teeth.”
The contributions of the Church are seen in its ability to respond to the needs of social and economic justice with solid values and principles. And many in difficult times look towards the Church for orientation and valuable guidance. And, as journalists and media experts working in both secular and religious media, we share that responsibility of the Church to guide peoples so that all can uphold social and economic justice.
8. Proposals for an ideal world economy for justice
Analysing the concept of a world economy in the recent millennia (worldwide practices, concepts, origins of trade) and especially in the recent centuries (slavery, industrialisation, colonisation, making of first, second, third and fourth worlds, globalisation), one needs to enforce new economic practices, rules and laws in order to achieve the ideal environmental, social and economic conditions and justice.
A common currency or equal value for currencies: The first step towards a sound and just economy is to honour and respect the services, resources and goods of peoples and nations worldwide. An equal value for currencies worldwide or a common currency will help achieve this faster than the present system where nations and their resources are discriminated against. A common currency will also help reduce speculations in financial markets.
Just distribution of wealth and resources: In just trade, all the parties at different levels are to be justly remunerated. For example, producers of vegetables, their transporters, wholesalers and retailers should equally share the benefit and loss. The aim of moving industrial production sites must not be only for making an unjust profit but sharing of resources that belong to all.
Respecting emerging or growing markets: The financial crises have repeatedly shown that the solution cannot come from global financial institutions concentrated on Wall Street, but from nations worldwide who have shown that they can stand on their own feet. Thus internal and regional markets worldwide have to be strengthened; examples of successes in developing nations must be promoted in view of democratising the financial environment and making it accessible to all.
Health is wealth: In order to sustain the social and economic justice, we need to resort to nature-based and -oriented living. Our marketing and consumption must respect natural laws that govern us all especially with regard to bodily, mental and spiritual health. Marketing and consumption of any product that directly or indirectly, gradually or suddenly harms one’s health or our common source of life, the nature and the universe, must be eliminated.
Protecting Habitats and Environment: Like nature, people are born into a special habitat and environment. Instead of exploiting them for highly profit-oriented industrial, farm, mine and hydro-electricity purposes, they should be protected so that people are not forced to migrate and depend forever economically on others.
Greening the economy: In order to recover the world economy in a sustainable way, it is very essential to make companies, governments and individuals more responsible while they consume the limited natural resources of our planet. A greener economy also plays a key role in raising dramatically the use of renewable energy to reduce carbon emissions, the only way to tackle drastic climate change.
Returning stolen treasures: One of the many aims of colonisation, domination and continued conflicts and wars was to destroy local cultures and lifestyles while looting treasures and properties and bringing them to the colonisers’ homes and markets. Thus countless invaluable objects were stolen and are still used for example through museums and private and public auctions to make money. It is vital to return them to the respective nations together with compensation for all damages.
Eliminating evils: Evils such as the brain drain, organ trafficking and transplantation, adoption, slavery and bonded labour kill the local economies and thus nations and the environment. Many of these evils consolidated through colonisation both traditional and neo-, have devastated economies around the world.
Supervising institutions: All institutions, especially the financial, such as banks, insurance companies and money-handling entities, must be supervised and protected so that peoples’ properties are secured, especially in financial crises. Corporate governance, transparency, social and environmental responsibility, regulation and planning should be the chief standards while dealing with financial markets, capital flows and investments, especially in developing countries.
Social networks: With more and more access to the Internet, peoples worldwide have new opportunities to exchange, inform and be informed on the financial rights and duties of the citizens of the whole world. These social networks can help redefine and help develop a just and ideal financial equilibrium.
9. Challenges
No one has the right to become rich by making someone else poor. This is probably the greatest challenge every person in the world has to face. And in order to face this challenge, concerted and collective decisions, policies and actions are necessary on world levels.
Our responsibility as journalists is to move the media, leaders and all other actors in the world to reach this level of environmental, social and economic justice so that the ideal and peaceful world we all dream of can become a reality.
Rome, Italy, 31 October 2009
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