Tom Heinemann, twice titled an “Outstanding Investigative Journalist” was recently honoured further, with a stamp in his passport. It reads “Visa Application Failed” associating Heinemann with the “alleged terrorists and villans” for whom this stamp is usually reserved.
Heinemann’s crimes are undoubtedly of grave consequence. Through a penetrating collection of documentaries, he exposes the effect of the global market, allowing consumers to see the world they unknowingly endorse. “Blood, Sweat and T-Shirts” shows Danish teenagers in sweat shops and secured him the stamp, a precaution taken by the Indian embassy. They are not alone in the clamour to silence him. Heinemann “could tell you hundreds of stories of how Grameen are trying to intimidate him”. Grameen, the pioneers of micro-credit, are responding to the influential “Micro-debt”, a feature that threatens the image they built in the international imagination.
Micro-credit was Mohammed Yunus’ baby, a messiah sent to eradicate poverty. It was quickly adopted by us all, earning Yunus the Nobel Peace Prize with the promise of productive international aid. It hit all popular chords for willing donors, claiming to break the vicious cycle of charity by giving people the chance to support themselves.
Sadly, Heinemann’s evidence demonstrates the problems with micro-credit that long acknowledged by academics were not being addressed. He follows the lives of the micro-credited, as they struggle all the more in poverty accompanied by interest rates and weekly repayments. First they take out another loan to pay their debt; then they sell livestock, household items and agricultural land. Finally, they put their children out to work and sustainable progress seems less likely than ever.
The international media have succumbed to Heinemann’s view as quickly as they once did to Yunus’. Headlines now show micro-credit in an increasingly negative light. How do we know which reports to trust, when they contradict themselves so quickly? Widespread disagreement still exists about Heinemann’s credibility. Is the eagerness of the implicated to stop him due to the truth or the falsity of his publications? Is this censorship or justified reactions to libel? The allegation that $100 million donated to Grameen under Yunus went astray was not confirmed in trial, yet some might think that this was the real reason for Yunus’ recent dismissal as investigations into the operations of Grameen continue. The internet is teeming with contradicting opinions, from pleas to Heinemann to direct his inquires to their affected countries to demands that he retracts the ‘facts’ which some deem disguised opinion. “I want to give a voice to the voiceless” replies Heinemann. Those of us with a voice should let him know our opinions on what we have heard.
You can watch the trailer for Micro Credit here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3i3BhPKkVHo The full English Version can be purchased from Heinemann’s website http://tomheinemann.dk/. When asked why it was not available for free, Heinemann explained that his hands are tied by the distributors.
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