27/07/2008

Journalism and public policies

CARLOS EDUARDO LINS DA SILVA
ombudsman@uol.com.br

The press could contribute to bringing Congress closer to the population, as numerous examples in other countries show; it's just a matter of wanting it

Part of the hate by some critics against mass media comes from the conviction that they have the power to manipulate public opinion over vital matters, such as elections.

Newspapers, magazines and radio and TV stations do not enjoy this power, as shown in an extensive empirical study gathered for at least 60 years and events in recent history.

Political leaders considered hostile by the press, such as (former President) Jânio Quadros, (former São Paulo Mayor) Luiza Erundina, (former Rio Gov.) Leonel Brizola and (current President) Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, were elected to important jobs despite the alleged campaigns in the media against them.

When those seen as protected by journalism, such as (former President) Fernando Collor, (current São Paulo Gov.) José Serra, (former São Paulo Gov.) Geraldo Alckmin and (former President) Fernando Henrique Cardoso, win, the result is attributed to the staggering power of the big media.

It is obvious that, at least, other variables should interfere with the process. If not, allies of the "bourgeois press" would always win.

Those who denounce the alleged extraordinary ability to influence the media, obviously, believe themselves to be immune to it. But, in an attitude that shows disdain for the ordinary citizens the media claim to defend, they believe that the others don't have the same tools, and therefore, need protection.

Since 1948, the year of a classic study in the city of Elmira, New York, about the influence of newspapers on U.S. presidential elections, topics that comprise the nucleus of values and convictions by people about important news media are found to matter much less than other institutions, such as family, church, unions, schools, clubs, and friends.

But there are aspects of political life in which the press can exercise a very relevant role, even more than other significant influences. One of them is the definition of a public agenda.

There are an infinite number of topics in permanent debate in a democratic society. And there are specific moments in which decisions are made with lasting effects on everyone.

Two of these topics were recently defined, and public opinion weighed in little about them. On July 9, work on a law to decriminalize abortion was finished in the Chamber of Deputies. On July 10, the Senate approved a bill which defines new types of crimes committed via Internet.
There are two questions which have great interest for Folha readers. However, the newspaper did not prepare them for what came: it did not publish opinion pieces, did not promote debate, did not have extensive reports about what could happen, and did not even advise about the imminence of the decision.

The National Congress, frequently detested for good reason, is an institution with great transparency. The calendar of its sessions is public. The same goes for commission and plenary agendas. Those with an interest and willingness can participate and influence.

The press is able to help citizens who want to take part in the process. Why not reveal more about the legislative agenda and show how it coincides with society? Why not bring the representatives and those represented closer together?

If Congress is distant from the population, it is better to force it to improve than nail it shut or ignore it. The same goes for legislative assemblies, municipal councils, heads of the three branches of government, and diverse jurisdictions of the judiciary.

Journalism could contribute a great deal to building bridges that facilitate improvement, as shown in numerous examples in other countries. It is only a matter of wanting it.

The case of Andréa Michael

A dialogue attributed to reporter Andréa Michael, in Folha's Brasília bureau, and Guilherme Sodré Martins, an adviser to Daniel Dantas, is circulating on the Internet without clarifying its origin. Some readers (few) demanded condemnation by the ombudsman of the journalist and of the newspaper as well as her dismissal (with humiliation, one suggested).

The Federal Police report did not contain any transcript of the dialogue in which Michael participated. There is a report of the conversation between Martins and Dantas, in which the adviser tells the banker that "André (sic) Michael, of Folha, was assigned to do a story against you, is that right?"

Dantas' adviser said that the story had been "assigned" to hurt him. Andréa Michael, on vacation when Operation Satyagraha was unleashed, asserted that she never said she had been assigned to write the story. The final Federal Police report excluded the previous mention that she had prepared a story "on assignment."

What she wrote was published April 26 about the investigation by the Federal Police into Dantas. Some readers believed that this warned and favored him. That could be. But it is hard to believe that Dantas needs to read a newspaper to find information in his interest.

It is the obligation of journalists to publish confirmed information in the public interest. Michael and Folha did that.

To read
"Social Public Policy and Challenges for Journalism." Andi and Cortez Publishing, 2008 (starting at 29.93 reals, or US $18.70) - collection of stories about how the press could contribute better to the formulation of public policy

"How To Exercise Your Citizenship." Bei, 2003 (42 reals) - excellent manual about instruments with which the citizen can influence decisions of collective interest

To see

"Warning: Parental Advisory," by Mark Waters, with Mariel Hemingway and Griffin Dunne, 2002 - story about a conflict in the United States between a group of organizers fighting what they consider pornography in music lyrics and artists compelled to guarantee freedom of expression

"Thank You for Smoking," by Jason Reitman, with Aaron Eckhart, 2005 (starting at 14.99 reals) - good humored chronicle about the construction of a legal defense, considered illegitimate by some, by the tobacco industry's interests aimed at the government and public opinion in the United States

What the newspaper did right

Obama
Still not overcome by the charm of the candidate, the newspaper covers his campaign with a critical spirit and does not treat him as if he were already elected

Magazine
A story on the cover last Sunday told about original destinations for small tourists and good service by innovative countries

And where it was wrong

Doha Round
Coverage of negotiations was already disproportionately dry for its importance

Day-to-day
Photos on the front page of the national edition on Tuesday look too technical for a newspaper such as Folha

Satyagraha
Readers continue to miss analysis to help understand the meaning of events in the news

Drowning in numbers
News about tax collection on Monday summarizes the numbers whose size is difficult for average people to understand

Topics most commented during the week

1. Operation Satyagraha
2. Municipal election
3. Soccer coverage

-Translation by John Wright