GCAP releases press statement denouncing “media apartheid” at the G8/G20 Summit
Following our posts about the anger felt by civil society groups about their forced separation from the media at this year’s G8/G20 Summit, GCAP released a press release on the issue. Kumi Naidoo, co-chair of the GCAP, called the situation “media apartheid”. Further quoted in the press release, Naidoo added that ““This is especially egregious given that Harper has instituted the B20 that has brought together top business leaders from the G20 and has privileged their voices over that of civil society.” The press release noted that although some NGOs received full access, and some were able to obtain temporary day passes to the International Media Centre, the process is “long and cumbersome.” It was also mentioned that civil society were restricted from holding press conferences in the Alternative Media Centre.
The press release, although released by GCAP, was signed by several civil society organizations:
Make Poverty History/At the Table
Canadian Federation of Students
GCAP South Africa
Global Call to Action Against Poverty (GCAP)
Greenpeace International
Oil Change International
Oxfam
Global Health Council
WWF International
Actionaid
Climate Action Newtork/Reseau Action Climat Canada
Halifax Initiative