Journal AB3A's Journal: Musings about Journalism 2
My sister recently returned from travels in Uganda and Rwanda. Based entirely on old news stories of the area, I had concerns for her safety there. But it turned out that these concerns were not only unfounded but completely out of date.
Apparently, Rwandan tourism is picking up again. The country shows very few signs of the horrible genocidal civil war just a few years ago. There is peace and prosperity to be found in most places there.
Likewise, my concerns regarding Uganda were even more out of date. I could only think of that horrid dictator Idi Amin Dada and how things couldn't possibly have recovered from such awfulness. But not only have Ugandans recovered, they're thriving, and doing groundbreaking social work supporting the influx of refugees from The Congo.
Good news, it seems, doesn't make it very far --even in newspapers. Steady, slow reconstruction and the return of a civil, prosperous society is not news. I guess Journalists need dramatic events, not slow progress to report.
And that brings me to the reporting in Iraq: Yes, there are still bodies instead of people coming home. But while all that hate and discontent in a few areas is still festering, it's worth noting that some amazing things are happening.
There is an Iraqi police force. It's a civil police force. Most Iraqis haven't seen the likes of an Iraqi civil police officer in their lifetimes. The courts are back in session. City councils are befuddled by the concept that if they want to fix something, they don't have to call a bureaucrat in Baghdad to find the certified company. Instead, they can contract the repair themselves.
Gosh, these sound like little things, but to most Iraqis, this is brand new. These are the new facts of living in Iraq. You won't see it in the New York Times or on CNN.
Recovery and Prosperity isn't news to most journalists. Maybe it should be.
Expectations (Score:2)
Press coverage is pretty irrational. Why is it every plane crash is front page news, when much more hazardous activities than flying are all around us? Why was O.J.'s trial such a big deal, when domestic violence like that (or worse) happens every day? Why is the military death toll in Iraq never compared to Tarawa or Iwo Jima? Why does the civil unrest in Israel and Palestine get far more press attention than much bloodier feuds elsewhere?
I think it's partly economics. The media outlets don't pay to
indeed (Score:2)
That said, I agree with you...they tend to like to to stir crap up where there isn't all that much crap to stir up.