The aid/refugees debate - is it balanced?

After the Alf (Lord) Dubs off Island entreaty about Crown Dependencies helping refugees we get a helping of local thought from Manx Radio talking to the homeless charity Graih:

https://www.manxradio.com/news/isle-of-man-news/homeless-charity-calls-t...

The report intrigues me less because of its content and more the manner in which news is balanced.

Can I say I’m firmly on the side of supporting refugees from whatever conflict. When I can I put my hand in my pocket for an appeal be it Syria or Yemen and also don’t forget the local food bank.

However I think it’s a sweeping statement to say, as the report does, that ‘we’, meaning us in totality, are a generous community to all comers. Certainly some folk commenting here and elsewhere make it clear they think charity should begin and stay at home. Others keep quiet in case they are labelled for their misgivings.

Is it any wonder in any case that some people balk at extending a helping hand internationally when the Chief Minister in his ‘State of the Nation’ can only allude vaguely to a ‘plan’ to help the ‘cold, hungry or homeless’ on the Island and that after four decades of growth in a community that boasts billionaire residents.

I think the big failing here is in the media who fail to encourage a debate about the broader perceptions of aid and the equitable nature of our existing civil society. Perhaps if we had a more open debate some of the concerns and misconceptions would be allayed. Although I think it would be a mistake to believe all views might moderate.

One thing is clear the world is increasingly ‘ a global village’ and we ‘pitch and toss’ to boost our economy on the International stage maybe more so after Brexit. The sooner new realities are confronted the better but you will not get there without an honest debate!

Here’s the link:

https://www.manxradio.com/news/isle-of-man-news/homeless-charity-calls-t...

Bernard Moffatt