Religion in Russia, issues of surveillance and nuclear concerns

A report in the New York Times on the influence of religion in Russia’s school system seems biased by a secular perspective. The quote from a student near the beginning of the article colors the reader’s impression of the issue from the beginning, almost suggesting that students are brainwashed, in a way, by juxtaposing the image of the teacher “as if speaking from a pulpit” with the child’s comment soon after. Reading this, I wondered what the child’s own religious background was, information that is important to understanding whether her answer came from the classroom or from what she learned at home. Information about the religious demographics of Russia should have appeared much earlier in the article, because that, too, influences readers’ understanding of the issue. The kicker, as well, suggests that students are somehow being plied into accepting religion by noting that a teacher “dismissed the class, but not before giving a piece of chocolate to each child.” There are a variety of viewpoints presented in the article, but the way in which the reporter has chosen to frame them introduces a subtle commentary beneath an apparently neutral façade.

The Washington Post follow-up article with more information on the unsecured transportation of nuclear warheads at the end of August presents its subject with greater objectivity. The reporter’s disclosure of why the accounts given had to remain anonymous is helpful to the public in understanding that the information came from inside sources. The story not only sets the facts out in a very detailed manner, but also gives context by explaining how this instance deviated from the usual routine for handling nuclear warheads, explaining the risks of their unknown transportation several times for emphasis.

The Boston Globe also strives for transparency by reporting on a topic that does not receive much attention in communities: the use of surveillance cameras in public places by the Boston Police Department. The article gives specific examples of recent occasions when the cameras have aided police in apprehending suspects and also raises concerns from community members and groups that the presence of the cameras ought to be revealed to neighborhoods and should not decrease the amount of live police presence.

An article in The Sunday Times (of London) reports on the reconvening of the military planning group Project Checkmate to evaluate the possibility of war with Iran because of the country’s potential to pose a nuclear threat. The article balances descriptions of Project Checkmate’s role with those of the role of Centcom, and it makes sure to print comments from a senior defense official who points out the opposition of the joint chiefs of staff to the idea of going to war with Iran.