Last week the Beeb gave British viewers a sincerely objective and informative documentary in the form of an updated guide on the legalised tax avoidance industry.
They did so again last night [7pm, BBC2] by reporting on how the words “fair trade” are being exploited by the fiercely competitive global grocery market.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4788662.stm
Before we go any further, I must remind anyone reading this that I do not intend to encourage any immature or irresponsible remarks or behaviour aimed towards any particular organisation. If I were specifically condemning any particular party, I would quote a weblink to a reputable and sincere online campaign. (This must be said partly due to a series of threads on the Behind Closed Doors forum, which titles suggest disgruntlement towards a specific retailer. I have never felt tempted to click on any of these threads, and would not recommend any else do otherwise.)
The programme makers were setting out to point out to consumers that the faith we have given in encouraging food manufacturers and retailers in paying farmers and raw material producers a minimum sum, in accordance with fair trade guidelines, has been abused.
Like many of these programmes though, the fundamental issue of entities run for one sole purpose beyond all other considerations was either ignored, or simply left in the hands of the viewers to decide.
It does highlight clearly the necessity of getting issues that affect all humans right at the first time of asking. And the need to ask “why wasn’t it right first time?” with as vigorous, open-minded and imaginative a dialogue when consequences like these arise.
