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Child Poverty – Where is the Watchdog?

One in five children are affected by poverty in Canada. These 1.3 million children are not only deprived of food but also experience exclusion, poor health and compromised life chances. In 1989, The House of Commons unanimously resolved to end child poverty by the year 2000. To date this has yet to be accomplished. Child poverty in Canada is both a private and public sphere injustice that urgently requires a higher degree of poverty journalism and media coverage from a “watchdog” approach in order to create attention and educate the public from a broader scope.

The burdening issue of child poverty in Canada needs reporters as “watchdogs” because it is the duty of journalists to serve the public interest. Reporters “serve democracy and the public interest by reporting the truth [and] preventing the public from being misled” (The CAJ, 2011, p. 3). Reporters are messengers and therefore need to advocate for greater media coverage to inform, educate and motivate both local and global audiences about this serious public health concern. The words of the vulnerable, both the children and parents who struggle with hunger on a daily basis need to be heard. The “watchdog” can be the catalyst for such action through good reporting.

The Canadian Association of Journalist's (CAJ) Code of Ethics, one of the most influential foundations of journalism, states that journalists serve and defend the public interest by “promoting the free flow of information, exposing crime or wrongdoing, protecting public health and safety, and preventing the public from being misled” (CAJ, 2011, p. 3). It is therefore the journalist's professional obligation to not only meet these requirements but to also “make room for the interests of all: minorities and majorities, those in power and those without it.” It is in fact the true “watchdog” that “serve[s] the public interest, and put[s] the needs of [their] audience - readers, listeners or viewers - at the forefront of [their] news gathering decisions” (CAJ, 2011, p. 5).

In the article, Watchdog Culture: Why You Need it, How You Can Build it, Butch Ward discusses how “[w]atchdog journalism is a state of mind for the whole newspaper.” It is journalism that “gives power to people [and] should be at the heart of a newspaper's commitment to public service” (2005, p. 1) Ward argues that watchdog journalism is what holds the powerful accountable and serves the public interest by actually engaging the readership. Good reporting is “not allowing the black hole of institutional process to dictate [the journalist's] agenda” (Ward, 2005, p. 3).

In the Vancouver Sun article, dated October 9, 2015, Daphne Bramham reports with the“watchdog” approach by clearly making a link between child poverty and federal ridings in Canada. She boldly asserts, “[w]hy is there not a single federal riding in Canada that doesn't have kids living in poverty?” (Bramham, 2015). Her article discusses not only local and federal stats but also the need for solutions such as affordable housing and childcare, tax rebates/breaks and higher wages for the poor. Bramham's article is an excellent example of “watchdog” reporting because she not only provides solutions regarding child poverty but she also presents critical thinking and evidence through good questioning.

As Benedetti and Kierans explain in The Journalist as Critical Thinker, critical thinking provides a toolkit that journalists can use to examine claims, events, issues, or controversies but critical thinking mostly involves asking good questions—something reporters are supposed to be good at (2010, p. 130). Critical thinking in journalism is key to fact finding and producing evidence and therefore needs to be a skill more often used in poverty journalism to educate the readership because “[e]vidence plays a key role in the daily workings of society [and] [is] [key] for making important decisions” (Benedetti & Kierans, 2010, p. 131). As Benedetti and colleagues express, “in the end there are two kinds of reporters: those who are critical thinkers and those who are not” (2010, p. 137).

Bramham's reporting reflects the CAJ Code of Ethics by “serv[ing] democracy and the public interest by reporting the truth.” As a watchdog, she is reporting as a “fair and impartial observer, [who is] free to comment on the activities of any publicly elected body or special interest group” (CAJ, 2011, p. 3). Bramham's attention to detail clearly shows her commitment to accuracy because it “is the moral imperative of journalists and news organizations and should not be compromised” (CAJ, 2011, p. 1).

In the article Reporting Basics: Accuracy, Precision, and Balance, Rick Maclean describes how “accuracy, precision, and balance—crucial to meaningful reporting—takes time. [M]aintaining the kind of reporting to earn and keep credibility, is a significant challenge facing journalism in the new millennium” (2010, p. 184). Bramham is by far one of the few journalists leading the crusade to end child poverty through exceptional reporting.

Ward (2005) argues that too much of “watchdog journalism feels like scolding” and that there needs to be “more energy put into solutions—not just problems” (p. 3). He explains that community involvement is what can create these solutions. Ward discusses the importance of considering what factors and obstacles “affect newsroom culture and its connection to great watchdog coverage” because this type of journalism is “a unique strength of newspapers and is crucial to [their] mission” and must be considered a top priority (p. 6). He suggests that “[r]eaders should feel that the paper is looking out for their interests” (p. 2). Indeed, solution based reporting on child poverty can create more community involvement through tangible possibilities and hold political players accountable by educating the public on their promises or lack of action in addressing this serious problem in Canada.

The Vancouver Sun article, dated February 10, 2016, offers a solution based approach to reporting by presenting how donations to the Lohn Foundation can feed hungry children in schools and help to eliminate the burden on teachers in supplying the food necessary to feed children living in poverty. Gerry Bellett reports with a local focus and a relatable initiative raising awareness of not only “who” but “how” we can help hungry children in our communities. Jack Kowarsky, who survived both the Holocaust and starvation, recently donated $100,000 to The Vancouver Sun's Adopt-A-School campaign, by way of the Lohn Foundation. This significant donation “will feed 800 hungry children in 22 schools” (Bellet, 2016).

Bellet (2016) reports from a “watchdog” approach by creating hope through the article's solution based approach and by writing a factual story that readers can connect to. “Watchdog journalism needs to be more accessible, more digestible to readers...fram[ing] stories with our audiences in mind [and] not journalism contests” (Ward, 2005, p. 3). The CAJ states that part of the core work of journalists is making connections and that “[e]thical practice does not change with the medium” because journalists are “bound by the [CAJ] principles no matter where [their] stories are published or broadcast” (CAJ, 2011, p. 6).

As Brian McNair explains in Journalism and Democracy, the watchdog function of journalism is undertaken on behalf of the citizenry and therefore covers issues that significantly affect people's lives (2009, p. 243). With “[i]nternet technology squeezing out 'hard' news'-journalism that has the primary intent to inform and encourage reflection, debate, and action on political, social and economic issues”-it's even more vital that the “watchdog” be present.(2009, p. 243). Bellet's solution based reporting is not of usual practice in poverty journalism and he has succeeded through a keen “watchdog” approach to inspire giving us a story about ordinary people helping change the world.

In the Globe and Mail article, dated October 29, 2016, Battle, Torjman and Mendelson use the 5 W's to provide detailed information in linking poverty to politics. The article does attempt to report from a “watchdog” approach, by pressing the importance of a child poverty reduction plan in B.C. and the urgency for the federal government to take action on such process. Battle and colleagues suggest that “improv[ing] co-ordination of government ministries and non-government organizations involved in the multiple routes to poverty reduction” is extremely necessary (Battle, 2015). But the article is void of the “interview” and fails to meet some of the CAJ's ethical journalistic standards by not giving the “people, companies or organizations that are publicly accused or criticized [an] opportunity to respond before...publish[ing] those criticisms or accusations” (CAJ, 2011, p. 2).

Battle and colleagues miss a key element in reporting being the “interview” and which G. Stuart Adam describes in Notes Towards a Definition of Journalism, as being “at the heart of the practice of journalism” (2006, p. 357). In much of poverty journalism, there is a common approach to reporting that lacks accountability of political players because the “interview” is absent and stats become the basis of the news regarding child poverty. Adam (2006) explains that “the observation and the study of documents are primary devices of the reporter, so too is the interview”(p. 356). The interview is key to maintaining a consistent approach to the “here and now” in journalism.

In The CAJ (2005) Code of Ethics, it states that it is important for the journalist to “seek to include views from all segments of the population” (p. 5). Adam (2006) explains that it's about showing readers and not telling them so readers can consider the facts and decide for themselves. By interviewing on social issues such as child poverty, commitments and facts can be sought and clarified by government officials and by reporting the invaluable experiences of children and adults living in poverty, solutions can become the focus of the watchdog's message to the public.

As MacNair argues, “[t]he role of critical scrutiny over the powerful, be they in government, business or other influential spheres of society...is the 'watchdog' role of the journalist” (2009, p. 239).

The journalist is essential in influencing the way people perceive the world around them, by not just telling a story but rather motivating people to talk about the injustices around them, such as child poverty. Through knowledge there is power and through power there can be right action. Evidence shows that child poverty is a huge problem in Canada. It is evident that this social issue needs to urgently be further researched and reported on more diligently by journalists. “[T]he democratic ideal is one of informed choice [and] [j]ournalism contribut[es] to the development and maintenance of democratic political cultures” (McNair, 2009, p. 237). Stats and blame to date have not resolved the injustice of child poverty and therefore action must be initiated on a greater scale by communities, political players but most importantly by the “watchdog” journalist who can educate, inspire, and hold the powerful accountable for caring for these vulnerable children through good reporting.

Bibliography

Adam, G. (2006). Notes towards a definition of journalism. [Review of the book Journalism: The democratic craft, by G.S. Adam & R.P. Clark]. Oxford University Press, p. 344-364.

Battle, K., Torjman, S., & Mendelson, M. (2015, October 29). Ottawa must get serious about poverty reduction. The Globe and Mail. Retrieved March 3, 2016 from http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/rob-commentary/ottawa-must-get-serious-about-poverty-reduction/article27020577/

Bellet, G. (2016, February 10). Donation will feed 800 hungry children-Lohn's Foundation's $100,000 helps out 22 schools. The Vancouver Sun. Retrieved February 10, 2016 from http://www.vancouversun.com/business/adopt+school+donation+will+feed+hungry+children+year/11708458/story.html?__lsa=70ce-cb41

Benedetti, P., & Kierans, K. (2010). The journalist as critical thinker. [Review of the book The new journalist, by P. Benedetti, T. Currie & K. Kierans]. Emond Montgomery Publications, p. 127-139.

Bramham, D. (2015, October 9). Daphne Bramham: Promises, promises, but no answers for child poverty-Every riding in Canada has families and children living in financial peril. The Vancouver Sun. Retrieved March 2, 2016 from http://www.vancouversun.com/business/daphne+bramham+promises+promises+answers+child+poverty/11428405/story.html?__lsa=5734-fefd

MacLean, R. (2010). Reporting basics: Accuracy, precision, and balance. [Review of the book The new journalist: Roles, skills and critical thinking, by P. Benedetti, T. Curries & K. Kierans]. Emond Montgomery Professional Publications, p. 175-186.

McNair, B. (2009). Journalism and democracy. [Review of the book The handbook of journalism studies, by K. Wahl-Jorgensen & T. Hanitzsch]. Routledge, p. 237-249.

The CAJ Ethics Advisory Committee. (2011, June). The CAJ: Ethics Guidelines. The Canadian Association of Journalists, p. 1-6.

Ward, B. (2005, May 26). Watchdog culture: Why you need it, how you can build it. Poynter Institute. Retrieved March 30, 2016 from http://www.poynter.org/2005/watchdog-culture-why-you-need-it-how-you-can-build-it/67742/

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