Mitch Teberg, MA Associate Member

Journey for Fair Trade:

Take Direct Action with Bloomberg Media!
10 January, 2011

So often when injustice occurs, people fail to take action only to regret it later. I know that I have been guilty of this as have many others. However, it is time for change! I am inviting all who read this blog to participate directly in calling for Bloomberg Media to correct their stance on their December 15th article, Victorias Secret Revealed in Child Picking Burkina Faso Cotton, particularly following the investigations of Fairtrade International and Limited Brands published a week ago. As both investigations clearly point out, the story is a fabrication, yet Bloomberg Media has refused to alter their stance despite repeated calls for correction. For a detailed inquiry and multiple press releases in this matter read:

Bloomberg News Falsely Accuses Fairtrade of Child Labour

and

Mitch Teberg, MA Associate Member

Fairtrade International Investigation Leads to Questions of Bloomberg's Journalistic Integrity

I like a multi-pronged approach to social justice. Yes, the short-sighted news cycle has passed and their five minutes of fame in Burkina Faso has faded. However, I would like to press it with the editors of Bloomberg since they have never presented us with any additional sources which they claim to have, nor with any verification of ages.

All too often the bully gets away with what he is trying to pull off, ...and this one went too far.
There are multiple ways to approach Bloomberg with this issue, and I will provide you with a couple options! In this case, and after much deliberation, the best way to get Bloomberg's attention is to flood them with email! So, I have made this simple and drafted a form letter here, all you have to do is cut and paste the emails, and the letter, and click send!! Simple and direct! And yes, I have had success in this approach! Try it and cc me in the email!!

Help bring Integrity to Corporate Media! OCCUPY BLOOMBERG

Mitch Teberg, MA Associate Member

To: CEO & President of Bloomberg Daniel L. Doctoroff <ddoctoroff@bloomberg.net>, Chairman of Bloomberg L.P. Peter T. Grauer <pgrauer@bloomberg.net>, Editor-In-Chief of Bloomberg News Matthew Winkler <mwinkler@bloomberg.net>, Bloomberg Director of Communication Ty Trippet <ttrippet@bloomberg.net>, Bloomberg Spokesperson Meghan Womack <mwomack4@bloomberg.net>, Editor Flynn McRoberts <fmcroberts1@bloomberg.net>, Editor Melissa Pozsgay <mpozsgay@bloomberg.net>, Bloomberg's Reporter Cam Simpson <csimpson13@bloomberg.net> Bloomberg Markets Magazine Drew Kerr <drewkerr@bloomberg.net> CC: Mitch Teberg <journer@gmail.com>

Concern over Bloombergs December 2011 story of child labour on Fairtrade certified organic cotton farms in Burkina Faso
Re: Dear Bloomberg Chief Executive Officer & President of Bloomberg L.P. Daniel L. Doctoroff; Chairman of Bloomberg L.P. Peter T. Grauer; Editor-In-Chief of Bloomberg News Matthew Winkler; Director of Communication Ty Trippet; Spokesperson Meghan Womback; Bloomberg Markets Magazine, Drew Kerr; Editors Flynn McRoberts and Melissa Pozsgay; Reporter Cam Simpson and Photographer Chris Ratcliffe, It has come to my attention that a recent Bloomberg story, Victorias Secret Revealed in Child Picking Burkina Faso Cotton, dated 15 December, 2011, claimed forced child labour is used on Fair Trade certified organic cotton farms. I am concerned that this story has remained unchallenged nor withdrawn by Bloomberg following independent investigations by Fairtrade International and Limited Brands, published on the 3rd and 4th of January which found the story to be lacking in journalistic integrity. A review of the findings suggests the story is a fabrication. The evidence is clear: 1) The main assertion in the story is against three Fairtrade organic cotton farmers for using forced child labour, Victorien Kamboule, Baasolokoun Bassole Dabire, and Louis Joseph

Mitch Teberg, MA Associate Member Kambire. However, they are not certified by National Federation of Burkina Cotton Producers (UNPBC) as Fairtrade organic cotton growers, which is the only Fairtrade certification organisation in Burkina Faso. This fact can be independently verified through ECOCERT which has a copy of the UNPBC database. 2) When it comes to protecting the rights of exploited children in the media, Journalist Cam Simpson and the Bloomberg editors Flynn McRoberts and Meghan Womback decided to publish the names and identities of the children thereby violating their rights guaranteed under the UN Convention on Rights of the Child and against the guidelines established by the International Federation of Journalists. 3) The photographs taken by Chris Ratcliffe were clearly staged under the premise the journalist Cam Simpson and he were working for an orphanage project which was a flagrant misrepresentation of their purpose. Furthermore, the Fairtrade International report states Clarisse and her family members were "'woken up early one morning and asked to pose in the cotton field' by the journalist, 'who introduced himself as working for an orphanage project and needed to select three children to be part of this program.' 4) Clarisse does not live nor work on a registered organic cotton farm in Burkina Faso. Rather, she works on a vegetable farm. The farmer, Victorien Kamboule grows vegetables for the local market, not organic cotton for export. 5) The 13 year-old girl featured in the story, Clarisse is not a minor, but 21 years-old. Due to my high regard for the journalistic integrity of your news organization has, I am disappointed that Bloomberg continue to stand by this story, which appears to be a fabrication from beginning to end. I believe the Bloomberg journalist, Cam Simpson needs to be held accountable for the distortions present in the story; and the photojournalist, Chris Ratcliffe should be held accountable for staging a fabricated news photo shoot. I am also concerned that the editorial leadership of Bloomberg as so far found no need to respond to this evidence. Firstly, they ran the story in clear violation of the children's rights for protection as spelled out under guidelines for journalists in reporting on the exploitation of children. Secondly, the Bloomberg editors ran a story unchecked and without verification through UNPBC, the very first place editors should begin verifying facts in this case. Considering the severity of the charges against Bloomberg, I would like to see transparent and thorough third-party investigation of the alleged facts presented in Cam Simpsons story and verification of the authenticity of the photographs presented by photographer Chris Ratcliffe with full public disclosure of the results. If the findings match the evidence compiled by the Fairtrade International and Limited Brands investigations I presume a prestigious news organization such

Mitch Teberg, MA Associate Member as Bloombergs would understand the journalistic imperative in retracting the original story dated 15 December, 2011. Yours Sincerely,

A second option is to sign a petition on Change.org! Every time someone signs a petition, an email is sent to those listed above! http://www.change.org/petitions/bloombergs-story-of-child-labour-in-fair-trade A third option for those who prefer direct dialogue, here are a few numbers in the US to contact: Bloomberg Director of Communication Ty Trippet T +1 212-617-2443 Bloomberg Markets Magazine Drew Kerr +1 212 849 8250 Bloomberg News Editor Meghan Womack +1 212 617 8514 Or Contact +1 212 318 2000 and ask for the person whom you wish to speak directly on this issue, and have your facts ready!

Demand a transparent and thorough third-party investigation of the story, reporter Cam Simpson and photographer Chris Ratcliffe with full public disclosure of the results by the Bloomberg Editors!
This cannot be swept under the rug and forgotten - take Direct Action! We can make change happen and bring accountability and transparency to corporate media and reporters like Cam Simpson!
Grassroots movements succeed because people like you are willing to spread the word! Share this blog post and the Change.org petition on social media, with your friends and family, and all those who believe in Fair Trade!!! Mitch Teberg, MA Sustainable Development / Fair Trade Researcher / Trainer / Consultant www.journeyforfairtrade.blogspot.com Posted in: http://journeyforfairtrade.blogspot.com/2012/01/take-direct-action-with-bloomberg-media.html