Folha's Side on Social Security

11/21/2016 - 18h34

Brazil's spending on social security doesn't slow its increase. The population is gradually getting older. The existence of special retirements and the accumulation of benefits are unsustainable. These are exceptional times calling for a solution.

Reforming Social Security is one of the themes that alarms the citizenry and generates criticism among readers, many of which are personal or corporate, and because of this, hotter than reasoned political-economic arguments about cold and lifeless numbers.

Although there is disagreement about the real gravity of the situation of the social security numbers and about how we got to this current scenario, the necessity for urgent changes appears to be an opinion shared by the majority.

The doubts begin when the discussion turns to what needs to be done. What kind of reform, how much, in what points? This is where the divergence amplifies.

Michel Temer's Government has promised to send a reform proposal to Congress by the end of the year. Since this weighs on the pockets and affects the lives of everyone, it digs up the past and stalks the future.

Reader evaluation in general is that Folha's coverage of this subject is incomplete, partial and analytically superficial regarding the preliminary proposals presented by the government.

They point out that the newspaper hasn't been evenly balanced in its focus, and has especially been forgetting to give voice to labor unions from the private sector and public service associations.

"The newspaper has invested in a series of reports to deepen the discussion regarding Social Security and the government's proposals", says 'Business' section editor Ricardo Balthazar.

Two reports that were featured in Folha's headlines, have especially provoked extreme reactions.

The first, published on September 11th, declared: "Without Social Security reform, the country will impoverish".

In our internal debate, I commented that this headline was at the limit of editorial acceptability. Without introducing any new facts, the text had an unusual analytical character. It failed to provide for reporting of a broader nature.

Reader Leonardo Barlach declared that the report "cites a bomb as a fact, without presenting any sort of academic study, report from a governmental or international organization, or any relevant study whatsoever" and only quoted from one specialist.

"At a time when journalism is striving to better explain the news and base the analysis on statistics, it is sad to see Folha worry so little about stimulating the debate."

The other report, published on October the 24th, stated the following: "INSS (National Institute of Social Security) retirement represents 1/3rd of the total cost of federal employment". A huge reaction came from public servants.

Reader Caetano Brugnaro admitted to his "self-interest" and asked: "Why is it that Folha never publishes any information that helps to form a better picture of the situation social security is facing without demonizing retired public servants?"

It wouldn't be fair to say that the newspaper has underreported the theme. Many reports have been published, as the editorial board reminds us, that have dealt with the issues starting with a discussion regarding how the government uses the funds contributed which are earmarked by the Constitution for financing Social Security through proposals presented by labor unions.

"Some of the questions raised by readers have already been addressed and we plan to revisit many themes. The subject is vast and very complex. We have worked hard to clarify many points that have been generating controversy among readers and throughout society", declares Balthazar.

The complexity of the theme makes some readers see errors in what in reality is a possible interpretation, but not the only or a consensual one. The problem is that many reports don't reflect this complexity, verbalizing the ideas of only one group.

This dribbling and sporadic coverage results in a fragmented vision.

If the space available in the print edition doesn't allow for the treatment of all of the relevant and important aspects nor permit the airing of all currents of opinion, the newspaper needs to invest heavily in digital coverage.

All of the reports about this subject can be found at this address. But there isn't much. There is no special or modern multimedia environment that is attractive and friendly to use uniting in an editorially intelligent manner everything that Folha has published about Social Security reform, whether from reports, opinion pieces, interviews or infographics.

The newspaper needs to create its own space for discussion in both the print and digital editions, re-gauging the balance and non-bias of approaches, seeking relevant revelations and telling human stories about a theme that can't be limited to the boredom of reports.

The newspaper has to take sides in its coverage of Social Security reform – the side of readers – in order to detect their aspirations, clarify their doubts and amplify their voices in the debate so that they can form qualified opinions.

Translated by LLOYD HARDER

Read the article in the original language