Moving to Australia, I realise that a lot of things that would make news back home in Kenya are really not that relevant in this society,so like a good resident who would like to learn my new culture I watch the local news and local TV shows. I am struck by the number of news stories on American celebrities and then the news of Madonna adopting this 'poor' African child from Malawi catches my attention. Over the next month, she stole the editorial pages, the news slots on prime time TV and the morning commentary social shows on the major TV networks in Sydney.
I am wondering if this is a PR stunt for her and the many celebrities who pluck poor so-called-orphaned children from 'disadvanted' backgrounds. Are they really giving them a better future or are they opportunists who take advantage of the vulnerable to build their own reputation?
Celebrities are not the only ones in the do-good-to-Africa band wagon. The western governments are in this too, pouring aid to Africa without much thought on the hard that it is causing.
I think that another example of a celebrity using their status to draw attention to issues in Africa is Bono from U2. While I think his intentions were a bit more noble than Madonna's (although a lot of attention has been given to her charity, Raising Malawi) Bono has often been criticized for not contributing much of his own wealth to the charities he supports. It raises the question, is it enough for a celebrity to draw attention to a cause, or should they also be responsible for making significant donations?
ReplyDeleteCelebrities will be using any kind of “promotions” in bringing back their names on the wall of fame. Usually this applies to those celebrities whose name is already dimmed out from the popularity scenes. I personally believe it’s totally an unethical behaviour by using someone disability, disadvantages, poverty etc for our own good. However, this kind of news will definitely capture the attention of the media. Media members nowadays are hunger for news...even if a celebrity spoon feed a child will definitely be in the front page in tomorrow’s news.
ReplyDeleteBack in Malaysia, there’s a protocol conduct that the media members have to comply with regards to orphanage children. There are not allowed to expose the face of the children even if the picture was taken with a VVIP celebrity.
Shebley
Kelly, that is a very interesting perspective and got me thinking. Is putting your money where your mouth and action is the ultimate support? is Madonna using this as PR or is her heart really there. I guess I will never know. As for Bono, Hmm, that is probaby social responsibility gone sour. I know another Irish will say differently
ReplyDeleteThere is definite power in celebrities as spokespeople, sometimes they might not have the right intensions but I think due to their large following if they can get other people more aware of an important issue that might not be covered in the media otherwise, and call them to action this is a positive.
ReplyDeleteThat's right. Kelly's point makes me thinking. is that really celebrities donating their money? are they really into the causes? i would have thought that in choosing celebrity as spokespeople, we need to consider his/her reputation. often happen, celebrities just want to piggyback the organisation for bringing back their popularity.
ReplyDelete