POVERTY AND DEVELOPMENT: SPARSE MEDIA COVERAGE MAY MAKE THEM WORSE

Journalists who specialise in development and cooperation face a very difficult reality, and one that is very hard to change: there is very little room for this subject in the media, writes Mario Lubetkin, Director General of IPS. If the media give this subject so little room, are we to conclude that, despite their prominence in the agenda of the international community, that development issues simply aren\'t that important? If nothing changes, while information and the debate on economic development and the fight against poverty do not reach the general public, international cooperation will remain the exclusive domain of specialists and functionaries, far from the people. And without the participation and commitment of the people, it is unlikely that governments will do all that they can and should to carry out a programme as ambitious and strewn with obstacles as the MDGs.

WORLD SOCIAL FORUM: ANOTHER MODE OF COMMUNICATION IS POSSIBLE

Analysis of the world media carried out after the Fifth World Social Forum (26-31 January) showed that coverage of the Forum\'s activities has shrunk, writes Mario Lubetkin, director-general of IPS. This development seems to jar with the fact that the WSF is the largest and most representative forum of civil society, with higher attendance this year than ever -- about 150,000 -- as well as more than 4000 accredited journalists present from around the world, Lubetkin writes in this analysis. We must pay attention not only to media coverage but also to gaps in coverage caused by media policies, the author argues. It is a question of understanding who decides, and why, to limit coverage of the major themes of civil society, in particular those related to development, which though extremely important to the future of humanity are too often pushed aside by frivolous stories. Only a combination of serious, creative, and participatory initiatives will make it possible to move from the simple assertions and critiques regarding what is covered badly or not at all to a process that provides citizens with the information they need to understand, make decisions, and act. Lubetkin outlines three initiatives by World Forum on Communication and Information to address the situation: the creation of a world network to connect the media present at the forum; the organisation of a virtual global community of journalists; and the creation of a virtual university for journalists. One of the challenges presented by the WSF is to forge another form of communication which can give rise to another form of participation. Without this, the objective of creating \'\'another possible world\'\' will never be more than a wish planted in the imaginations of millions and millions of people.

WORLD SOCIAL FORUM: New Reference Point for Globalisation Debate

The first-ever World Social Forum held in this southern Brazilian city will forever serve as the point of reference in the ongoing debate about the globalisation process.

WORLD SOCIAL FORUM: For the Globalisation of Solidarity

Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and city governments from Europe and Latin America called for greater coordination between local authorities and civil society to prevent marginalisation and social exclusion.

WORLD SOCIAL FORUM: Communication, Civil Society’s Standing Debt

Civil society has a pending debt: an in-depth debate about communication, agree specialists in the sector participating in the World Social Forum, underway in this southern Brazilian city.

PARAGUAY-POLITICS: Stench of Corruption Lingers Around Wasmosy

A relaxed President Juan Carlos Wasmosy, who hosted a weekend summit of the Rio Group of nations, dismissed charges of corruption against his government as showing simply there was " true freedom of the press in my country."

RIO GROUP: The Only Latin American Forum for Political Dialogue

The Rio Group demonstrated at its 11th summit that it is still Latin America's only forum for political dialogue, which offers a space for the discussion of unresolved bilateral and multilateral issues.