Puttnam on citizenship and the media
David Puttnam issues clarion call to the media and politicans
Former film producer David Puttnam called on the media and politicians to engage more positively with the public in order to halt the erosion of trust and encourage greater participation in the democratic process.
Lord Puttnam of Queensgate, CBE was speaking to an audience of around 600 people on 1 February 2006, who had gathered in the Liverpool Anglican Cathedral to hear his Roscoe Lecture, entitled ‘The Role of the Arts and Media in Forming a Balanced View of Citizenship’.
Citing recent events, such as the anti-Iraq war protests and Live8, Lord Puttnam said that rather than being indifferent to political issues, the public’s lack of engagement reflected a belief that politicians – and the media – no longer understand their concerns.
“The development of citizenship is critically dependent on stimulating a greater degree of trust between politicians, the media and the public. Trust is not the same as agreement, but ultimately it’s much more important,” he said. “Properly regulated, the media should be capable of safeguarding that 'plurality of public voice', one of the prerequisites of a healthy democracy, ensuring that all of a nation's citizens are promptly, accurately and impartially informed.”
Before delivering his lecture, Lord Puttnam presented Kieran Edwards (15), a student at St Edmunds Arrowsmith Catholic High School in Wigan, with an LJMU Good Citizenship Award. Kieran, described as a ‘mover and shaker’ by his teacher Valerie Elson, received his award in recognition of his extensive fundraising work and school-based activities, which include organising a rock concert and establishing a reward system for his year group.
Lord Puttnam also delivered a master class to media students, which was hosted by the School of Media, Critical and Creative Arts and LJMU Honorary Professor Phil Redmond.
