DATELINE: JOHANNESBURG

I hope I am not upsetting CBS newsanchor Dan Rather this morning, or courting certain death by leading this column with more reporting from the World Summit on Sustainable Development here in South Africa.

Dan, who a few months back was blasting his colleagues for self-censorship, has turned his critical gaze on the TV audience, the people, and decided that they/we have “lost interest” in news and information from around the world. In an interview with TV GUIDE, one of Rather’s many personalities says: “A feeling is creeping back in that if you lead foreign, you die.”

So I hope I am not acting like some suicide chatterer by going on in this global vein. It seems clear that if Americans don’t know what’s going on, they won’t care, which gives the government a rationale for not caring, that in turn makes exercises like this summit a waste of time–because what the USA does or doesn’t do affects so many people all over the globe….

THE GOOD NEWS

Anyway, the good news from this part of the world is that there are a lot of people here who do care and they are engaged in debating the great issues and their solutions. Unfortunately, solutions are often elusive or too costly.

Yesterday, I visited the Landless People’s Camp, where a few thousand black South Africans are meeting to plan their own march on the summit. Under apartheid, whites, who were the minority, controlled 87% of the land in this country. Those numbers have not changed radically and these people know it. The government fears more land seizures like the ones in neighboring Zimbabwe that have destabilized that society.

These people are very poor and very angry and told me all about their concerns in a report I filed for World Link television. Earlier I was suspected of being a spy by some, part of national intelligence ring that watches all of these formations and protest groups closely. I said I was never accused of having too much intelligence. We all laughed. But there is a growing paranoia on all sides, especially by the government.

After apartheid fell, the spies of the old regime were put in together with the intelligence operations of the liberation movement. It was an uneasy combination. This intelligence apparatus has not had much to worry about until now, but now they are anxious and antsy. The anti-globalization movement feels the government’s gaze and resents the climate of intimidation. Last night I met a young woman who was hit by a police stun grenade and was burned while peacefully protesting. “I was singing a song in an African language I didn’t know, just humming along,” she told me. “and this grenade was lobbed at me without warning.” She is now walking with a cane.

A SPLIT

More worrisome to many of the NGO’s is the split in their ranks between those who reject all partnerships with governments and corporations, those that want and will accept corporate money, and those who were described as “just naïve” and want to be loved by everyone.

The summit already is costing three times as much as its predecessor in Rio. The South African government is paying much of the tab in hopes of recouping via trade, tourism and more influence in the years ahead. If the summit collapses, or fails to agree on a program of action on the issues — -water, privatization, poverty etc — or if the demonstrations explode into violent confrontations, all of this PR and marketing may be for naught.

DISGUSTING

Meanwhile back on the ranch, back in the USA, intolerance continues to show its ugly face. It is with disgust that I bring you this AP story about a disgusting human being. Is this rating any condemnations? Let me know

Club Cancels Palestinian Comic’s Act

By JOE BIESK

CHICAGO (AP) - A comedian scheduled to open for Jewish comic Jackie Mason was told hours before the show he couldn’t perform because he is Palestinian, Mason’s manager said.

Ray Hanania was supposed to open for Mason on Tuesday night at Zanie’s comedy club in Chicago, but the club phoned him a few hours before to tell him his act was canceled.

Mason has been an outspoken member of the Jewish community. His manager cited recent Israeli-Palestinian violence and delayed peace talks in explaining the decision.

“It’s not exactly like he’s just an Arab-American. This guy’s a Palestinian,” said Jyll Rosenfeld, Mason’s manager. “Jackie does not feel comfortable having a Palestinian open for him. Right now it’s a very sensitive thing, it’s just not a good idea.”

No, Jackie, it’s not a good idea. Not at all. These are the instances of intolerance we hear about. What about the ones we don’t, that never make the media? That’s the question I will leave you with. My email box is still open for your input. Write: dissector@mediachannel.org