Sunday, March 30, 2008
Japan: Chine and Tibet
Interestingly enough 3 of the 5 top international stories listed by the Mainichi Daily News are focused on the current unrest in Tibet and China. Given the outcry for China to "clean up" before the 2008 Olympics, it's hardly a surprise that the events are taking prominent place in the Japanese media, especially given Japan's close proximity to the area in conflict. Interestingly enough, however, is that the stories featured speak of China's promise to compensate civilian victims of the violence and diplomatic visits; pressure being placed on sponsors of the Olympics; and China's call to crush the protests versus John McCain's calls for peace. Of the three stories only the last one has a less a less than neutral frame on the events, citing violent clashes, using the words "crush" and "crackdown", quoting China critics, as well as sporting a picture of a blood covered Tibetan protester amidst Chinese police. All the articles are written by the AP and the photo is from Reuters. The other two articles read more like a fact sheet and have an added interesting point of always mentioning the US. The first article explains that the US sent a delegate to the area along with several other countries such as the UK and Japan, devoting half the article to the diplomats credidentials and alocations of blame of all the powers involved. The second article focuses on the US companies sponsoring the Olympics that are having a hard time balancing human rights causes and their finances should they anger China over the issue of Tibet.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
U.K.: The Iraq War on the blogs
Following my previous post, Chicken Yoghurt uses a much more creative approach to commemorate the start of the War in Iraq. The blogger allegorizes the whole situation by creating a character, "Warren Iraq," who, at five years old, is a problem child at school. The allegory is very well done, for the most part: Saddam Hussein is reimagined as a fellow schoolboy who, shortly after Warren's arrival, leaves suddenly; the state of Iraq is suggested through descriptions of the school building itself; and military catchphrases such as "fr**ndly f*re" and "*xtr**rd*n*ry r*nd*t**n" are reviled as swear words that Warren uses.
It is a very creative approach to the situation, and it gives the blogger the flexibility to come out and condemn the U.S. and U.K. for their roles in the war. An allusion to President Bush and former P.M. Blair arises near the end of the piece, as they are cast as Warren's parents:
"The neglect that Warren has suffered at the hands of his parents should also be mentioned. One left in July last year and has not visited or been in contact at all since. His other parent is leaving his job in January next year and has yet to say how he plans to continue to emotionally and financially support his son."
We've been talking about Jon Stewart's The Daily Show and how it functions in relation to traditional media. This blog, like The Daily Show, can only be understood by those who follow the news to begin with (one needs to be aware of American and British politics to understand the reference to Warren's parents, for example). Like Jon Stewart, too, the blogger has a liberal bias. But bias is not a point of contention for new media, and in this case, the freedom from neutrality in the blog world allows the blogger to suggest things that the reporter at The Guardian could not.
It is a very creative approach to the situation, and it gives the blogger the flexibility to come out and condemn the U.S. and U.K. for their roles in the war. An allusion to President Bush and former P.M. Blair arises near the end of the piece, as they are cast as Warren's parents:
"The neglect that Warren has suffered at the hands of his parents should also be mentioned. One left in July last year and has not visited or been in contact at all since. His other parent is leaving his job in January next year and has yet to say how he plans to continue to emotionally and financially support his son."
We've been talking about Jon Stewart's The Daily Show and how it functions in relation to traditional media. This blog, like The Daily Show, can only be understood by those who follow the news to begin with (one needs to be aware of American and British politics to understand the reference to Warren's parents, for example). Like Jon Stewart, too, the blogger has a liberal bias. But bias is not a point of contention for new media, and in this case, the freedom from neutrality in the blog world allows the blogger to suggest things that the reporter at The Guardian could not.
U.K.: Bush on the Iraq War
With Christin's discussion of framing and proximity below in mind, I was surprised to read an article in The Guardian today on President Bush's comments on the anniversary of the start of the Iraq War that made no reference whatsoever to the U.K. The article was reported from Washington and after the first two paragraphs relies heavily on quotes from the President. Interestingly, the lead paragraph reveals a frame that subtly takes the stance opposite that of the President:
"President George Bush showed no sign of regret today when he marked the fifth anniversary of the invasion of Iraq by declaring that the costs in terms of lives and upheaval had been worth it and that retreat would threaten both security and the world economy."
The denial of "regret" in the first sentence suggests that there is something to be regretted about the war. However, the reporter does not explicitly mention the conflicting views about the war that persist today until the very end of the article. This is the only real analysis in the article, though, as the rest of it is quote-heavy and America-centric. There are no references to British involvement in the war as American allies, nor any mentions of how the British feel about the war. This seems, in itself, to be a subtle way of distancing the U.K. from the war and former P.M. Tony Blair's allegiance with Bush. However, the detailed coverage of the event itself, which wraps up by pointing forward towards the Democratic presidential candidates' stance on the war, shows a very close alliance indeed between British and American media coverage.
"President George Bush showed no sign of regret today when he marked the fifth anniversary of the invasion of Iraq by declaring that the costs in terms of lives and upheaval had been worth it and that retreat would threaten both security and the world economy."
The denial of "regret" in the first sentence suggests that there is something to be regretted about the war. However, the reporter does not explicitly mention the conflicting views about the war that persist today until the very end of the article. This is the only real analysis in the article, though, as the rest of it is quote-heavy and America-centric. There are no references to British involvement in the war as American allies, nor any mentions of how the British feel about the war. This seems, in itself, to be a subtle way of distancing the U.K. from the war and former P.M. Tony Blair's allegiance with Bush. However, the detailed coverage of the event itself, which wraps up by pointing forward towards the Democratic presidential candidates' stance on the war, shows a very close alliance indeed between British and American media coverage.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Japan: Chinese police kill terrorists plotting attack on Olympics
One of the videos on the Mainichi Daily New's website this week is a report on how Chinese police uncovered a plot to attack the Beijing Olympics, how they killed the alleged terrorists in the trying to apprehend them, and how just a week before the flight crew of a Chinese jetliner prevented the 9/11-like crash in a separate case. While displaying video footage of a mosque setting in what one assumes is location in China, the report links the terrorists to an extremist movement in Northeastern China.
This is certainly an interesting video to have up, not to mention a rather hot topic given the current issues with terrorism, China, human rights, and independence movements/rebellions. The footage especially shows only images of the Olympic symbols and the mosque-like setting. I think that there is a mild bias/frame involved in order to link the Olympics and the alleged terrorist attempts. No mention was actually made in the video regarding the terrorists who were killed, nor did they mention actions that China was taking besides the a brief comment that authorities weren't revealing anything. The video was accredited to the AP.
This is certainly an interesting video to have up, not to mention a rather hot topic given the current issues with terrorism, China, human rights, and independence movements/rebellions. The footage especially shows only images of the Olympic symbols and the mosque-like setting. I think that there is a mild bias/frame involved in order to link the Olympics and the alleged terrorist attempts. No mention was actually made in the video regarding the terrorists who were killed, nor did they mention actions that China was taking besides the a brief comment that authorities weren't revealing anything. The video was accredited to the AP.
Japan: Proximity and Ties
After the discussions that we've had in class so far, I noticed that the most prominent factor that appears in the selection of "world" or "international" news on the Japanese websites tend to follow the concept of proximity both geographical and literal (as in involving Japan or Japanese citizens.) For example, on the "World News" webpage of the Asahi Newspaper, of the thirteen articles featured that were published between February 28 and this morning, every single one of them have related the issue or event to Japan. Whether the article talks about the International Space station, Nail salon operators in China, peace missions to Sudan, Croatia's opinion on Kosovo's independance, or rabies in Nepal, they all mention someone, some place, or some thing that brings the reader's attention to Japanese involvement.
Admittedly, unlike the Mainichi Daily News or the Yomuiri Daily, all the articles in the world news section of the Asahi are written by Asahi Newspaper's own journalists. None of them are attributed to Reuters or the AP as is normally found in the other two papers. Perhaps, this trend is a result of the market influences on the Japanese papers. When the company spends its own resources on an article then they want to attract the biggest readership possible to make up and even out weigh the costs. By relating international events to Japan, the Asahi may be utilizing the ties to Japan to interest people into reading their paper. Regardless of the authors of the articles, however, they don't appear to be any more biased or framed than the AP and Reuter articles that appear in other two newspapers. In fact, except for the constant mention of Japanese connections in the articles, they are fairly neutral in their reporting. For example, the third article in the list, Philippines to seek 'comfort women' apology, reports on the decisions of the Philippine government regarding the politically sensitive topic of Japan's actions during World War II, which have shadowed relations between the two countries. Yet, the author does not offer an opinion on the matter. It begins by with the fact that the Philippine government will ask Japan for a apology for forcing Filipino women into sex slavery. The next four paragraphs reports some background information: why the government has acted and what they have done. Then are a few quotations from comfort women and their supporters. Ending in a warning that there is not much time left because the former "comfort" women are passing away as these political work occurs.
Admittedly, unlike the Mainichi Daily News or the Yomuiri Daily, all the articles in the world news section of the Asahi are written by Asahi Newspaper's own journalists. None of them are attributed to Reuters or the AP as is normally found in the other two papers. Perhaps, this trend is a result of the market influences on the Japanese papers. When the company spends its own resources on an article then they want to attract the biggest readership possible to make up and even out weigh the costs. By relating international events to Japan, the Asahi may be utilizing the ties to Japan to interest people into reading their paper. Regardless of the authors of the articles, however, they don't appear to be any more biased or framed than the AP and Reuter articles that appear in other two newspapers. In fact, except for the constant mention of Japanese connections in the articles, they are fairly neutral in their reporting. For example, the third article in the list, Philippines to seek 'comfort women' apology, reports on the decisions of the Philippine government regarding the politically sensitive topic of Japan's actions during World War II, which have shadowed relations between the two countries. Yet, the author does not offer an opinion on the matter. It begins by with the fact that the Philippine government will ask Japan for a apology for forcing Filipino women into sex slavery. The next four paragraphs reports some background information: why the government has acted and what they have done. Then are a few quotations from comfort women and their supporters. Ending in a warning that there is not much time left because the former "comfort" women are passing away as these political work occurs.
Friday, March 14, 2008
U.K.: Looking at the big picture in blog post on Sudan
One thing we've been discussing in class is how the 24-hour news cycle aims for instant gratification and takes reporters' time away from focusing on the big picture by teasing out overarching themes about subjects in the news. The Guardian's "newsblog" counters that notion this week with a post headlined, "Back to the future in Sudan." In thirteen brief paragraphs, the piece recalls Sudan's colonialist past, contrasting Winston Churchills 1898 reconquest of Sudan following a victory in Omdurman with Tony Blair's visit to Khartoum in 2004, "worrying about Darfur." The blogger notes, "Memories of his visit elicit wry smiles from local Sudanese," who "bear few overt grudges about the colonial period. They worry more about what they see as present-day imperialism directed from Washington."
The blog has a few lovely, detailed paragraphs describing the landscape surrounding Khartoum that are the express benefit of the blogger's writing from their in a dispatch style. However, the blogger does not define clearly what he means by "the threats the country faces from new forms of colonialism;" instead, these threats seem to take the form of modernization and globalization that leave all kinds of abandoned waste and vehicles despoiling the natural landscape.
The Guardian has about 28 blogs, an astounding number to be run by one mainstream media outlet. They cover a variety of topics, and the scopes range from the narrow "blogging the qur'an" to the grab-bag "newsblog." Since the newspaper's website has the capacity to publish breaking news, the blogs seem to serve as a way to comment upon news stories or introduce stories that don't have a place in the traditional, printed edition agenda.
The blog has a few lovely, detailed paragraphs describing the landscape surrounding Khartoum that are the express benefit of the blogger's writing from their in a dispatch style. However, the blogger does not define clearly what he means by "the threats the country faces from new forms of colonialism;" instead, these threats seem to take the form of modernization and globalization that leave all kinds of abandoned waste and vehicles despoiling the natural landscape.
The Guardian has about 28 blogs, an astounding number to be run by one mainstream media outlet. They cover a variety of topics, and the scopes range from the narrow "blogging the qur'an" to the grab-bag "newsblog." Since the newspaper's website has the capacity to publish breaking news, the blogs seem to serve as a way to comment upon news stories or introduce stories that don't have a place in the traditional, printed edition agenda.
U.K.: Spitzer scandal
Not one to miss out on a salacious story, The Times of London follows the coverage of Governor Eliot Spitzer's past patronage of a prostitution ring, revealed this week. Following the New York Times profile on Ashley Alexandra Dupre, the prostitute who met with Spitzer, today's article in The Times of London tells how Dupre informed the prostitution ring of her client's prominent standing before focusing on the legal ramifications of the situation.
The article avoids sensationalizing the story, for the most part. Dupre is referred to as a "call-girl" and her meeting with Spitzer as a "tryst," but the phrasing that reeks most strongly of scandal is a direct quote from Dupre herself when she learned of Spitzer's identitythat was originally reported in The New York Post. The first four paragraphs focus on the identification of Dupre as the previously unnamed prostitute. Then the article turns to Spitzer's legal concerns and the question of whether or not taxpayer money or campaign funding was misused. The article goes into the nuanced details of the law by which Spitzer might be charged because of how he paid the prostitution ring, rather than the fact that he patronized it at all. The final paragraph implicates Hillary Clinton, whom Spitzer has endorsed, as a potential recipient of backlash because of this, and it ends with a joke made at her expense on the Letterman show.
The article relies in part on reportage from The New York Times and The New York Post, but it does not report on the controversy surrounding the publication of the NYT article. Interestingly, although The Times does not overdramatize its coverage of this news item, it does use Spitzer as a news peg for a confessional anonymous article written by a man who is addicted to using prostitutes, headlined, "My desire for sex was so overwhelming that I had difficulty breathing."
The article avoids sensationalizing the story, for the most part. Dupre is referred to as a "call-girl" and her meeting with Spitzer as a "tryst," but the phrasing that reeks most strongly of scandal is a direct quote from Dupre herself when she learned of Spitzer's identitythat was originally reported in The New York Post. The first four paragraphs focus on the identification of Dupre as the previously unnamed prostitute. Then the article turns to Spitzer's legal concerns and the question of whether or not taxpayer money or campaign funding was misused. The article goes into the nuanced details of the law by which Spitzer might be charged because of how he paid the prostitution ring, rather than the fact that he patronized it at all. The final paragraph implicates Hillary Clinton, whom Spitzer has endorsed, as a potential recipient of backlash because of this, and it ends with a joke made at her expense on the Letterman show.
The article relies in part on reportage from The New York Times and The New York Post, but it does not report on the controversy surrounding the publication of the NYT article. Interestingly, although The Times does not overdramatize its coverage of this news item, it does use Spitzer as a news peg for a confessional anonymous article written by a man who is addicted to using prostitutes, headlined, "My desire for sex was so overwhelming that I had difficulty breathing."
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
UN/International News
When we think about International News, the best example, in my opinion, is the news delivered by the UN. What could be more international than that? Yet when a story about an UN official is reported, is the degree of internationality still the same? Does such a thing as a degree of internationality exist? For example, on the French site of MSNnews there is a story about the UN General Secretary Ban Ki-moon calling Israel to end the Israeli constructions in the West Bank. If we take into account the amount of the text that addresses each country, there is, in my opinion, a significant imbalance between the section of the text that addresses the Western point of view, and the correspondingly smaller section that deals with the actual subject of the article: Israel construction sites in the West Bank. Out of 14 paragraphs, 4 were devoted to the UN point of view, 1 to the Israeli point of view, 1 to the Palestinian’s side, 2 were to Mr Sarkozy’s point of view, one of the paragraph was linked to the visit of the Israeli President Shimon Peres this week, 1 to France (which makes 3 in total), 1 to the UK’s side, 3 to the US’s point of view. The last paragraph dealt with a summary of the situation about the negotiation between Israel and the Palestinian territories, which according to the “Road Map” could be, in a not-so-distant future, a sovereign country.
It is interesting to note that the two main countries that are directly concerned with the topic are so under-represented.
See the article for yourself at
MSN News
It is interesting to note that the two main countries that are directly concerned with the topic are so under-represented.
See the article for yourself at
MSN News
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Czech Republic and the US
While reading an article in Le Monde (February 29th) about an agreement between the US and the Czech Republic, I wanted to see the American version of that story and I was extremely surprised. Both the French newspaper and the US newspaper had a story concerning the US and the Czech Republic but not quite on the same topic. Le Monde reported Europe condemnation about the separate agreement: Czech citizens no longer need VISA to enter US soil. As Czech Republic being a rather new member(2004), its citizens need a VISA in order to travel to the US.The question about the need of a VISA to enter the US is usually negotiated between European Union and the US and not directly between the country and the US. The other part of the deal was that the Czech Republic has to give information about the passengers to the US. However checking another article about an agreement between this country and the US, the other part of the deal may be much more interesting than just information. The February 28th edition of the NYT contains an article about negotiation between President Bush and Czech leader about an "early warning radar system". The future agreement ends months of negotiation starting in 2007. The NYT article did not mention the reaction of the EU about this agreement nor anything related to the authorization to enter the US soil without VISA. The NYT only mentions the strong opposition from Russia about the US missile shield.
Still I think it is interesting to notice that one can think that the agreement reported in Le Monde newspaper could be the consequence of the agreement reported in NYT.
See the article for yourself at
Le Monde
See the article for yourself at
New York Times
Still I think it is interesting to notice that one can think that the agreement reported in Le Monde newspaper could be the consequence of the agreement reported in NYT.
See the article for yourself at
Le Monde
See the article for yourself at
New York Times
Japan: American enka singer makes waves
According to Global Voices Online for Friday March 7th, an American born and raised singer of enka, a form of traditional Japanese music (kind of like a ballad), is the talk of the Japanese blogosphere. His debut single, "Umiyuki" - Ocean Snow - ranked fourth on the Oricon Music charts, a new record for enka. Jerome White Jr., or Jero as he is now called, was born and raised in Pittsburgh where he devoloped a passion for enka from his Japanese grandmother. He moved to Japan after he graduated with a degree in informational sciences from the University of Pittsburgh, taught english, entered kareoke competitions, and was discovered and signed by a record label.
This blog also includes a youtube video of Jero's debut single enka. It looks a bit like rap mixed with traditional singing... Certainly, the blog post reflects both types of proximity. Regarding ties, Japan and the US have a good relationship politically and socially. Especially since the singer has Japanese relatives and is currently living in Japan, the article has a double tie.
This blog also includes a youtube video of Jero's debut single enka. It looks a bit like rap mixed with traditional singing... Certainly, the blog post reflects both types of proximity. Regarding ties, Japan and the US have a good relationship politically and socially. Especially since the singer has Japanese relatives and is currently living in Japan, the article has a double tie.
Japan: Bias
According to the Special to the Daily Yomiuri, one of Japan's leading conservative papers, Obama and Clinton are losing and destroying their party, while McCain and the Republicans will probably win the November presidential elections. The article explains that Clinton lost because she's too negative and will alienate the Obama supporters, so she can't possibly win in the general election. In addition, the article claims that she just doesn't have enough delegates because Obama has such a large lead (144 pledged delagates). Then it explains how she managed to save her "near death campaign" during last weeks primaries. Obama, on the other hand, must be able to show voters that he can face the attacks or drop out of the race, the article advises. Furthermore, the writer tells the readers that Obama's fatal flaw is that he doesn't attack Hilary's history, record, or credibility, not to mention her private life and 35-years of experience. In fact, the article says that Obama should "puncture her carefully constructed public persona and remind voters of past scandals and problems." Lastly, the article reiterates how the democratic infighting over the nomination will split the party leading to a Republican victory. It even gives the "likely results" of the remaining primaries, saying everything won't be settled until the Democratic convention in August.
I must say that this article epitomises bias both ideological and structural. I should mention that the writer of the article is a man and as listed at the end of the piece "a distinguished fellow of the Centre for International Governance Innovation and professor of political science at the University of Waterloo." As a conservative paper, the Yomiuri would obviously choose to publish articles that are framed in a light that supports the conservatives regardless of the fact that its the conservatives of another nation. Moreover, the article is quite opinionated. More like something one would see on late night television in the US than journalistic reporting. For instance, the article includes phrases such as "It's the delegate math, stupid,""she can 'win' only using skulduggery at the Democratic convention that will alienate the mass of Obama supporters without whose votes she cannot possibly prevail in the presidential election itself," "The controversy over the North American Free Trade Agreement--"wink, wink" to Canadians,""her temperament and demeanor are presidential given her gushing, hectoring, mocking and complaining personas; and puncturing her claims to lifelong experience as a fairy tale,"and "Any party so politically inept and organizationally incompetent deserves to lose. The Republicans can neither believe their luck nor contain their glee." The frame on this article obviously favors McCain and the Republicans with its ridicule of Hilary, Obama, and the Democratic Party. Following the article's logic, Hilary is a overly agressive, emotional woman; Obama is a cowardly, unready man, who is riding on his non-white exoticness, and the Democratics will fail in the presidential elections because of all the infighting, depite the fact that 40% of voters would still vote for either candidate. On a last note, there are also no references or citations for the "likely results" that the article lists what so ever. Considering US newspapers have been citing the record number of new voting -participants in the primaries, especially as an advantage to the Democrats since their two candidates are a change from the white and male McCain.
I must say that this article epitomises bias both ideological and structural. I should mention that the writer of the article is a man and as listed at the end of the piece "a distinguished fellow of the Centre for International Governance Innovation and professor of political science at the University of Waterloo." As a conservative paper, the Yomiuri would obviously choose to publish articles that are framed in a light that supports the conservatives regardless of the fact that its the conservatives of another nation. Moreover, the article is quite opinionated. More like something one would see on late night television in the US than journalistic reporting. For instance, the article includes phrases such as "It's the delegate math, stupid,""she can 'win' only using skulduggery at the Democratic convention that will alienate the mass of Obama supporters without whose votes she cannot possibly prevail in the presidential election itself," "The controversy over the North American Free Trade Agreement--"wink, wink" to Canadians,""her temperament and demeanor are presidential given her gushing, hectoring, mocking and complaining personas; and puncturing her claims to lifelong experience as a fairy tale,"and "Any party so politically inept and organizationally incompetent deserves to lose. The Republicans can neither believe their luck nor contain their glee." The frame on this article obviously favors McCain and the Republicans with its ridicule of Hilary, Obama, and the Democratic Party. Following the article's logic, Hilary is a overly agressive, emotional woman; Obama is a cowardly, unready man, who is riding on his non-white exoticness, and the Democratics will fail in the presidential elections because of all the infighting, depite the fact that 40% of voters would still vote for either candidate. On a last note, there are also no references or citations for the "likely results" that the article lists what so ever. Considering US newspapers have been citing the record number of new voting -participants in the primaries, especially as an advantage to the Democrats since their two candidates are a change from the white and male McCain.
Saturday, March 8, 2008
U.K.: Fear of recession colors U.S. election
The Observer offers a succinct summary of the state of the U.S. economy as it tries to peg the fear that the U.S. is entering a recession to its coverage of the presidential race. The article points to falling home values and stock price and rising gas prices and unemployment as indicators that the economy may be entering a recession. It offers little new information to forward the theory of recession, aside from rising unemployment figures, instead attributing the assertion to the opinions of "many economists" and a recent New York Times headline. Likewise, in relating the issue to the election, the article states that "Some experts believe the bad news could boost the chances of Hillary Clinton."
The article follows the recent American media frames in suggesting the possibility that Clinton could be seen as a "comeback kid" right now, and the ties between the candidates and the state of the economy are also relevant frames this week, following the news of Tuesday's primaries in Ohio, Texas, Vermont, and Rhode Island and accompanying the small news item of Obama's predicted win in Wisconsin today. Continuously, the British media has used the same framing devices as American news sources in their portrayal of election developments, which is not surprising given the cultural proximity between the two nations and the general similarities between both nations types of government (more similar, that is, than a democratic republic and a dictatorship would be).
The article follows the recent American media frames in suggesting the possibility that Clinton could be seen as a "comeback kid" right now, and the ties between the candidates and the state of the economy are also relevant frames this week, following the news of Tuesday's primaries in Ohio, Texas, Vermont, and Rhode Island and accompanying the small news item of Obama's predicted win in Wisconsin today. Continuously, the British media has used the same framing devices as American news sources in their portrayal of election developments, which is not surprising given the cultural proximity between the two nations and the general similarities between both nations types of government (more similar, that is, than a democratic republic and a dictatorship would be).
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
U.K.: Pickled Politics blog sheds light on Asian news
The blog Pickled Politics focuses on news in the U.K. of special interest to Asians or about Asian countries. Writers from diverse backgrounds--from a blogger for The Guardian to a medical student--comment on a variety of stories from the viewpoint of a shared heritage. As blogs go, it serves functions unique to new media by highlighting certain aspects of the news and commenting on them quickly by relying on other sources. It seems like the perfect opportunity for the average joe (and the moonlighting pro) to practice some framing of his own.
Today, the blog has several entries. One relies on a published study reported on by an Indian television network that claims international companies are not outsourcing jobs to India as frequently as before because the rupee has been gaining in value. The author intersperses minimal commentary with excerpts from the news article. Another post draws attention to an article published in the American magazine Commentary, in which the author opines about the lack of portrayals of moderate Muslims in MSM. The blogger shares the opinion of the magazine article's author that the media focus only on radical Muslims in news stories.
Both of these posts show blogging giving people the opportunity to bring international stories--from international news outlets--to light and make them relevant to their own domestic (British) experience. There is a certain amount of proximity of culture here, since the bloggers are all of Asian heritage. Having such a focus to the blog also allows posters to frame the news issues in the way that they wish, giving importance to topics that are denied prominent placement or multifaceted coverage in the MSM.
Today, the blog has several entries. One relies on a published study reported on by an Indian television network that claims international companies are not outsourcing jobs to India as frequently as before because the rupee has been gaining in value. The author intersperses minimal commentary with excerpts from the news article. Another post draws attention to an article published in the American magazine Commentary, in which the author opines about the lack of portrayals of moderate Muslims in MSM. The blogger shares the opinion of the magazine article's author that the media focus only on radical Muslims in news stories.
Both of these posts show blogging giving people the opportunity to bring international stories--from international news outlets--to light and make them relevant to their own domestic (British) experience. There is a certain amount of proximity of culture here, since the bloggers are all of Asian heritage. Having such a focus to the blog also allows posters to frame the news issues in the way that they wish, giving importance to topics that are denied prominent placement or multifaceted coverage in the MSM.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Tensions in Latin America
It seems that the death of the second-in-command Farc leader reveals more than a dead body. Raul Reyes’ personal computer shows evidence that Venezuelan president, Hugo Chavez, has financed the Marxist rebels. Confidential documents also show that Chavez gave up to 197 million of euros( $300 million). Similarly, Columbian police brought out other document stating that the Farc had given 100,000 euros to Chavez during his imprisonment for the 1992 coup d’etat.
On Sunday President Chavez passionately condemned the the Columbian troops and tanks that invaded
When the death of Raul Reyes was announced on Saturday, fears that negotiations to release the French-Columbian hostage Ingrid Betancourt increased. She was kidnapped in 2002 while campaigning for the Columbian presidential election. Because of her dual nationality and the huge movement for her liberation, French news often reports on the situation. Moreover current President Sarkozy promised the release of Ingrid Betancourt during his campaign last year. Last week he even made the statement: “Myself, I will go into the jungle if it is a requirement of the Farc, if it can trigger her release…”
C.J. (lefigaro.fr) avec AFP et AP
03/03/2008 | Mise à jour : 21:49
(Pfff what a joke!!! WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR!!!!!)
See the article for yourself at
Le Figaro
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Japan: Editor's selection
The editor's selection at Mainichi Daily News' video forum this week was entitled, "Teens beware: nude pics of self may be child porn." The video that is attributed to the Associated Press, relays that some officials in Virginia plan on prosecuting Teenagers for taking pictures of themselves in the nude with their cell phones and then sending the picture to their friends via e-mail. A government spokes person says the concern is that the pictures will basically be online forever, since there is no way to delete them or get rid of them once they are on the Internet. A Parent comments that it is frightening because there are so many predators that use the Internet and fears for the children's safety.
Obviously, this piece of news not only follows the news guidelines of being rather scandalous and novel, but it also comes from an outside news source. So far, there hasn't really been a single piece of news that the Japanese websites have posted that does not come from the AP, reuters, or other such news associations. Given that it is a rather small town down in Virginia that the news is taking place, it would probably take up a lot of time and money for a Japanese news team to make it down there. Perhaps, this epitomizes the considerations that even both the old and new media must take regarding news as a commodity market. While their job is to get the information out, they must also take into consideration the financial side of the business.
Obviously, this piece of news not only follows the news guidelines of being rather scandalous and novel, but it also comes from an outside news source. So far, there hasn't really been a single piece of news that the Japanese websites have posted that does not come from the AP, reuters, or other such news associations. Given that it is a rather small town down in Virginia that the news is taking place, it would probably take up a lot of time and money for a Japanese news team to make it down there. Perhaps, this epitomizes the considerations that even both the old and new media must take regarding news as a commodity market. While their job is to get the information out, they must also take into consideration the financial side of the business.
Japan: Proximity rears its head
The leading article in the Asahi Weekly for March 31, 2008 is titled "Asia: Taiwan 'spy' finally freed after 11-year term in Chinese prison." According to the article, a Taiwanese professor was recently released after being imprisoned for 11 years as an accused spy. The now 58 year-old Mr. Lin-Cheng Cheng was arrested under claims that he had passed on Chinese Missile data he had gleaned from a Chinese Engineer that he had met while studying in Japan to the Taiwanese Kuomingdang (KMT) - Taiwanese Nationalist Party. Lin told the Asahi reporter that he had been arrested. beatened, and interogatted by the Chinese police after being arrested while attending an academic conference in Beijing in 1997. The article continues with a brief description of Lin's history or lack thereof with the Chinese Engineer. When Lin told the Chinese that he was being unlawfully detained as a Taiwanese and for something he did ten years earlier in Japan, they continues to beat him and told him not to say that since he was "Chinese." Lin was placed in solitary confinement for two months and then held for two years before seeing trial where he was sentanced in a single day to a fifteen year term. Lin says there was no help from the Taiwanese government. The article concludes with a description of how Taiwan had stopped spying on China in the 1990s and a quotation from Lin saying, "The Kuomintang used me and then discarded me. China detained a political prisoner like me in an unjustifiable manner. Both of these acts are unforgivable. I was a victim of the conflict between China and Taiwan."
As we spoke about in class, proximity is one of the key factors in the reporting of international news. Obviously, not only is Taiwan and China geographically near Japan, but there is also a political, social, historical, and cultural connection between the countries. Politically, Japan is a main player in the balance of maintaining the current status quo of cross strait relations. China continues to claim Taiwan as a renegade province and Taiwan claims to be a sovereign country, a theme of the article. Japan has also backed the US in saying that they will interfere if China makes any moves militarily to force Taiwan under its control. Socially, the Japanese favor the Taiwanese, which is quite apparent in article as it sheds a rather negative light on the Chinese for beating Lin and making him wait two years before an implied dubious trial. Moreover, all three countries are tied culturally and historically. Again, however, the Japanese are probably more biased in favor of the Taiwanese because they exchanged many cultural aspects during the fifty year period where Japan occupied Taiwan before and during World War II. Many Japanese entertainers are very popular in Taiwan and vice versa.
As we spoke about in class, proximity is one of the key factors in the reporting of international news. Obviously, not only is Taiwan and China geographically near Japan, but there is also a political, social, historical, and cultural connection between the countries. Politically, Japan is a main player in the balance of maintaining the current status quo of cross strait relations. China continues to claim Taiwan as a renegade province and Taiwan claims to be a sovereign country, a theme of the article. Japan has also backed the US in saying that they will interfere if China makes any moves militarily to force Taiwan under its control. Socially, the Japanese favor the Taiwanese, which is quite apparent in article as it sheds a rather negative light on the Chinese for beating Lin and making him wait two years before an implied dubious trial. Moreover, all three countries are tied culturally and historically. Again, however, the Japanese are probably more biased in favor of the Taiwanese because they exchanged many cultural aspects during the fifty year period where Japan occupied Taiwan before and during World War II. Many Japanese entertainers are very popular in Taiwan and vice versa.
Saturday, March 1, 2008
U.K.: Russian election rigged?
On the day of the Russian presidential election, The Guardian is reporting that officials have a plan in place to rig the results by falsifying the turnout. The article purports that governors, teachers, and others have been instructed to vote for Medvedev, the candidate endorsed by current President Vladimir Putin, and it attributes this information to "independent sources." Particular numbers were confirmed by Russian officials from outside the Kremlin.
The controversial article has not been confirmed by The Times or the BBC. It is the lead story on the World News page of The Guardian's website, but on the main page, it is placed in secondary importance to an article on Prince Harry's return to the country. This placement recalls the 1980s study in the Mermin article showing how little attention anyone paid to news about the Soviet Union. However, given the controversial claim, it is surprising that the story is not the most prominently featured one. As in coverage of the U.S. election, the article is accompanied by links to other features providing background information about the election.
The controversial article has not been confirmed by The Times or the BBC. It is the lead story on the World News page of The Guardian's website, but on the main page, it is placed in secondary importance to an article on Prince Harry's return to the country. This placement recalls the 1980s study in the Mermin article showing how little attention anyone paid to news about the Soviet Union. However, given the controversial claim, it is surprising that the story is not the most prominently featured one. As in coverage of the U.S. election, the article is accompanied by links to other features providing background information about the election.
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