Survival International - Media

Media

Survival International has received some attention in the media over the years with the campaigns and work of volunteer supporters. Some celebrity endorsements include Richard Gere, who has spoken up for the Jumma of Bangladesh, Julie Christie, who gave a Radio 4 appeal on behalf of the Khanty of Siberia, Judi Dench, who warned of the events surrounding the Arhuaco of Colombia, and Colin Firth, who spoke out against the eviction of the Bushmen tribe, and in favor of the Awa-Guajá people.

However, the media has not always come in hand with the agenda of the organisation. In 1995, Survival International saw its advert banned by the Independent Television Commission, citing the Broadcasting Act 1990, which states that organisations cannot advertise their work if it is wholly or mainly of a political nature. The Survival ad featured Richard Gere and was broadcast on the music cable channel The Box and the MTV satellite offshoot VH-1. Gere urged viewers to help to stop the slaughter and exploitation of tribal people. Another controversy was ensued after the publication of an article that cast doubt over the Survival's reporting of an uncontacted tribe in Peru, where it was presented a picture with tribesmen firing arrows up at an aircraft. After a heated confrontation that dragged for a couple of months, with threats of taking Survival to court for libel, the newspaper, The Observer, on August 2008, ended up conceding that it had got the story wrong. In a clarification, the newspaper stated: "While The Observer cannot be responsible for content of other media it does have a duty under the Editors' Code not to publish 'inaccurate, misleading or distorted information'. It failed in that duty here."

How much attention we should give Survival's perspective in the media is also an issue. The Government of Botswana, with whom Survival has had a long battle over the reality of the Bushmen tribe, has complained that their side of the story is not nearly as covered by the mainstream media as its opponent. At the origin of this response is an article that alleges that the Botswana government "has instructed all departmental heads in the state media to ensure that any negative reporting on the controversial relocations from the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR) should be contrasted strongly with freshly-sought government statements."

In 2005 Survival launched a campaign on tribal rights and development, with the book There You Go! (Oren Ginzburg). In the book's foreword, Stephen Corry wrote: "The 'development' of tribal peoples against their wishes – really to let others get their land and resources – is rooted in 19th century colonialism ('We know best') dressed up in 20th century 'political correct' euphemism. Tribal peoples are not backward: they are independent and vibrant societies which, like all of us always, are constantly adapting to a changing world. The main difference between tribal peoples and us is that we take their land and resources, and believe the dishonest, even racist, claim that it's for their own good. It's conquest, not development. If you really want to understand what's going on, read this book."

Survival International encourages supporters to spread awareness on indigenous rights issues through several mediums. In the guide Walk your talk, the organisation gives tips on a variety of actions, from writing letters to governments, to spreading the word through sponsorships, leaflets, demonstrations, film shows, and collecting money from a variety of events, as well as many other advices.