Media Day
It has been a ‘media day’ for me in Singapore. First off was a Press Conference organised by, amongst others, Focus on the Global South aimed at giving a voice to organisations banned from attending the meetings. After two of the blacklisted activists – who had managed, after some problems, to get into Singapore via the ferry terminal – gave statements condemning the Singapore government’s actions and providing more information on how various campaigners have been treated, I participated in a panel on the IMF.
The rest of the day has been spent in the convention centre talking to journalists and waiting for the official press conference of the IMFC – the IMF’s highest decision-making body. The IMFC is chaired by Gordon Brown so is of particular interest to the UK media.
The main issues were voting reform and trade but sadly the IMFC also chose to congratulate the Singaporean government on its organisation of the meetings - a real kick in the teeth for all those who have been harassed, detained or deported.
As ever, there was a major flurry of activity once the press briefing was over – journalists writing stories and NGOs writing press releases. I did what I could but, as ever, a host of organisations were ‘competing’ for the same media coverage so who knows how it will turn out. I always think it can’t be very easy for the press trying to write copy with lots of people rushing around handing out media releases but I guess they are used to it. On the plus side, there was a high degree of consensus between NGOs on the inadequacy of the IMF’s proposed voting reform so hopefully these similar messages will be reflected in the reporting.
I feel pretty tired right now – partly the jet lag catching up on me and partly the fatigue kicking in after the adrenaline has dissipated. Tomorrow promises to be calmer. Although it’s the turn of the World Bank’s governing body to make a pronouncement it looks like several journalists are heading home as the IMFC was seen as the bigger story.
Stumble It!
The rest of the day has been spent in the convention centre talking to journalists and waiting for the official press conference of the IMFC – the IMF’s highest decision-making body. The IMFC is chaired by Gordon Brown so is of particular interest to the UK media.
The main issues were voting reform and trade but sadly the IMFC also chose to congratulate the Singaporean government on its organisation of the meetings - a real kick in the teeth for all those who have been harassed, detained or deported.
As ever, there was a major flurry of activity once the press briefing was over – journalists writing stories and NGOs writing press releases. I did what I could but, as ever, a host of organisations were ‘competing’ for the same media coverage so who knows how it will turn out. I always think it can’t be very easy for the press trying to write copy with lots of people rushing around handing out media releases but I guess they are used to it. On the plus side, there was a high degree of consensus between NGOs on the inadequacy of the IMF’s proposed voting reform so hopefully these similar messages will be reflected in the reporting.
I feel pretty tired right now – partly the jet lag catching up on me and partly the fatigue kicking in after the adrenaline has dissipated. Tomorrow promises to be calmer. Although it’s the turn of the World Bank’s governing body to make a pronouncement it looks like several journalists are heading home as the IMFC was seen as the bigger story.
Stumble It!
posted by World Development Movement at 2:20 AM
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