REPORT TO COUNCIL
SPECIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
ON CULTURAL COMMUNITIES
June 5, 1996
RECOMMENDATION
1. Immigrant Services Society Media Project
Vancouver City Council at its meeting on June 6, 1995, considered
the Cultural Communities Committee 1995-96 work plan objectives
recommending development of a media strategy to foster a better
understanding of cultural communities to counter cultural stereotyping.
A "Thumbs Up - Thumbs Down" program on media coverage designed to
identify fair and enlightened coverage of cultural communities versus
biased reporting for use in the media conference was suggested and
Council requested the Committee report back with detailed plans, which
identify the objectives, needed resources and funding for this action.
The Committee on June 6, 1996, heard a presentation from Mr. John
Borst, Executive Director of The Immigrant Services Society of British
Columbia on the Society's Multicultural BC application called "Setting
the Record Straight.
The proposal suggests a collaborative project, with partners
including the Affiliation of Multicultural Societies and Service
Agencies of BC (AMSSA), the Provincial Ministry responsible for
Multiculturalism, the United Way of BC., Citizenship and Immigration
Canada (CIC), and if interested, the City's Cultural Communities
Committee. The project's main focus is to survey the current ethnic
media coverage and encourage both the ethnic and mainstream media to
circulate positive economic and social stories about immigrants and
multiculturalism to the public, and secondly to work on a media
strategy. It is also hoped the year-long project will bring together
the ethnic press and help people become aware of the different issues
experienced by each community.
The budget has yet to be finalized, however, funding is anticipated
from the United Way by July, as well as the Province and Federal
Government. The City of Vancouver is not being asked for money, but
rather participation/partnership of the City's Cultural Communities
Committee.
Clause No. 1 (continued)
Mr. Borst emphasized the proposal is still in the initial stages;
however a number of workshops, led by paid facilitators, are planned to
educate the ethnic and mainstream media on the value of positive
stories. Meetings with Editorial Boards of mainstream media are also
envisioned to establish dialogue and encourage voluntary initiatives on
the part of media groups. An evaluation of the effect of these actions
on media coverage over a specific period of time is included as part of
the project.
A number of members expressed positive feelings toward becoming a
partner with the Society; however, some expressed concern the
Committee's own similar project would be lost, as well as uncertainty as
to the level of involvement expected. Most members confirmed the
positive aspects of working together on "Setting the Record Straight",
as follows:
- more resources would be made available toward achieving
essentially the same objectives the Committee originally
envisioned, and
- the project would enhance the chances of improving media
coverage with the broader scope and participation.
The Committee intends to pursue measures, through its liaison to
the Setting the Record Straight project, to ensure the City maintains an
adequate profile.
The Special Advisory Committee on Cultural Communities therefore
RECOMMENDS
A. THAT the Special Advisory Committee on Cultural Communities
endorse, in principle, The Immigrant Services Society of
British Columbia's "Setting the Record Straight" project.
Clause No. 1 (continued)
B. THAT, if Vancouver City Council agrees, the Cultural
Communities Committee will no longer work on its own media
conference project, but rather join with The Immigrant
Services Society of British Columbia to participate in their
collaborative project currently underway;
(Messrs. Prasad and Yuen requested to be shown
opposed to this motion.)
FURTHER THAT, subject to approval of the above, Mr. Muneshwar
Prasad be designated the Cultural Communities Committee
liaison to the ISS project, with Ms. Yukiko Shiroki designated
as alternate.
"Eleanor Atienza", Chair
Special Advisory Committee
on Cultural Communities
CITY MANAGER'S COMMENTS
The City Manager reccomends approval of A and B. Given that Council has
already supported the Committee's "Thumbs Up - Thumbs Down" initiative
through the 1995 Work Plan, continued support for a collaborativae
effort involving other levels of government and non-profit agencies
makes good sense.