Unprecedented levels of need, biggest aid cuts ever, humanitarian catastrophe — all too familiar to hear about in the news, but does the average person care? There are more media outlets and information available than ever before, yet investment in quality international reportage has dropped off as traditional media has been destabilised. Citizen journalism, blogging and social media have stepped up in their place — but do they have the same ability to influence high level decision-making? For those of us working on aid and development issues, whether on major crises or issues that simmer away for years or decades, how do we cut through in this media environment? This conversation-based panel at the 2018 Australasian Aid Conference brought together journalists, communications practitioners and advocates to discuss the current challenges facing media coverage of aid and development issues, and to propose solutions.

Panellists:
Ashlee Betteridge, Development Policy Centre (Chair)
Jo Chandler, Journalist
Sam Bolitho, CARE Australia
Nick Danziger, Author, Photojournalist and Film-maker

The 2018 Australasian Aid Conference was held at Crawford School of Public Policy, ANU, on 13-14 February, and was organised by the Development Policy Centre in partnership with The Asia Foundation.

https://crawford.anu.edu.au/devpolicy/events

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