I think the intention is to personalize it, to spark compassion, but it still smacks of tribalism. Living in the second largest metropolitan area of the U.S., we get the same thing. Anytime something big happens out of town, the local television news station manages to find "the Southland connection" and will find some California resident at the scene, talking live via satellite phone or whatever. If it didn't happen to Westerners, it's just a tragedy that will be off our radar sooner rather than later.
I agree with . I see it from the total U.S. citizen view as well as a more localized Texan view. I must admit I was almost relieved to know the U.S. media isn't the only one doing that. I'm constantly embarrassed by how U.S.-centric the media and so many citizens are. I'm probably not much better, but I think I try.
Australian media is exactly like that too! And I thought it was only here. Maybe I'm biased, but it does seem to me that South African journalism has a more global perspective on tragic events regardless of who's involved - or maybe they're just keen to focus on someone else being in trouble for a change!
Mmm I did think that about Malawian media - but then, if they waited for "Malawian man in X global event"-type news they'd be waiting a while.... number of Malawians that can afford to leave Malawi = about 12.
Yeah... I hate to be cynical, but it does strike me as being a 'report the news in a way that it will sell' thing that the Western media does, because without a local connection, not a big enough percentage of people will watch/read/buy their newscast. Strangely enough, that is why I watch and read the BBC, to get a more global perspective than the local news here in the US. Go figure...
Comments 6
Reply
Reply
Reply
Reply
Strangely enough, that is why I watch and read the BBC, to get a more global perspective than the local news here in the US. Go figure...
Reply
Reply
Leave a comment