On August 7th, 2018, the third Journalists Summit on Illicit Financial Flows took place in Buenos Aires, Argentina. This event happened during the Civil Society Summit C20 – Argentina 2018, where civil society organizations from different parts of the world gather to contribute in a structured and sustained manner to the G20, “thus ensuring that world leaders listen not only to the voices representing the governmental and business sectors, but also to the proposals and demands of civil society as a whole”. Journalists specialized on tax havens, money laundering, corruption, capital flight and offshore accounts, met to discuss and exchange their experience. Coming from thirteen countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, and different types of media, they all participated in a strongly collaborative atmosphere. All the interventions focused on the challenge of making the IFFs attractive or “sexy” for the media audiences.
Organized by Latindadd, the Financial Transparency Coalition and Fundación SES’ Regional Integration and Development Funding Program, the meeting could also count on OXFAM Spain’s participation, and Global Alliance for Tax Justice’s Campaigns and Policy Coordinator for Latin America and the Caribbean, Inés Barboza.
Specialists panels, journalists and tax justice organizations’ representatives launched and facilitated the specific theme discussions around corporate tax elusion practices, certain challenges regarding mass communication about tax fraud, and the policies of incentives beneficial to economic power elites, and prejudicial to the population in general. After each panel, participants shared their concerns, questions, and also elaborated on the obstacles and helping elements of their work.
Finally, participants shared their use of digital tools for journalists in order to cover the needs of this agenda, and the event closed on a collective debate on: “How to strengthen ties and alliances between the press and civil society?”.
“It is our understanding that journalism is a key ally regarding these questions, in particular due to their investigative work and their role exposing injustices”, concluded Adrian Falco, Tax Justice Network for Latin America and the Caribbean Secretary.
The Summit was also the occasion to show solidarity in support of the 350 layoffs in the Argentina State Public News Agency (TELAM), and denounce the sacking and emptying of these workers’ fundamental mission; and celebrate the uncomprimising campaign in favor of the right to legal, free and secure abortion, lead by women’s movement in the country.
For more information, you can contact Adrián Falco.
