IFC's Media Project: Can the Truth Set Us Free?

By Phil Robibero on 05/05/2009

Question: Can Revealing the Truth Behind the News lead to more Truth in the News?

It's no secret; America is disinterested in international news. But, when we do exhibit a passing interest in world events, the media almost always concentrates on the pro-American side of the picture. The new season of IFC's "The Media Project" tackles this issue head on. From conflicts in Gaza to Georgia, The Media Project, hosted by award-winning journalist Gideon Yago, presents the other side of the story in an attempt to expose the often limited perspectives we see in the United States. As the collection of "truths" come together, a new picture emerges; one that is often eye-opening but also one that can disrupt society as it currently functions.

The Media Project's News Junkie segment focuses on the Somalia pirate tirade that had swept the media by storm during the Maersk Alabama hijacking. The news painted the pirates as pure agitators; their profile refreshed from the dismal Battle of Mogadishu. Understandably, America-Somalia relations have some deep scars. This is reflected in the American media, as Somalis and to a greater extent Africans are relegated to cannon fodder and often seen in a negative light. The News Junkie remedies this one-sided debate by giving the issue more complexity. He adds that Somalia is being exploited; nuclear waste is dumped on their shores and their waters are stripped clean by foreign fisherman. He ends his point with a lingering question; "If I told you this, would [the Somali pirates] still be the bad guys?" From our perspective the answer is still, unfortunately, yes.

Consistent dialogue concerning Africa is hard to come by, especially in the media. Attempts are made by celebrities and activists to bring the issue of Africa to the forefront, but with little political success. The amount of US aid sent to Africa still sits below 1% of the American GDP. The handling of aid itself is now coming under scrutiny adding to the complications. Even in the face of genocide, America has remained adamant. What's to say nuclear waste on the shores of Somalia will stir any real conversation? As the complexities of Africa wane on American interests, the media has simplified scenarios (Somali pirates are bad, American skippers are good) or done away with them all together in order to appease. It is only when American interests are threatened do we shift from our adamancy. Maybe Somalia should build an oil pipeline.

In the end we remain immune to the problems in Africa. In a way, this is not a problem, but rather natural. It's partly a reflection of America's egocentricity, but also part of the geographic and cultural abysses that exist between the lands. It isn't the absorption of information that is the problem, but rather our attitudes after the fact. This is why action is so important to Media Literacy. Without action, truth is rendered useless. Only when we do act upon the truth, can real differences actually happen.

[Additional Photos: "Pirates", The Washington Note, 2009; "Darfur", BBC, 2006]