Wide Off The Mark
The run up to this year’s election in the US has thrown up some very interesting gems from the mainstream US media and quite a few of them need a closer look.
United Kingdom of Miracles!
Roger Federer amplified the spirit of the Olympics movement when he replied to a question on whether he would become the greatest athlete of London 2012. The world No 1 Swiss legend said: "I am certainly not going to be the greatest…the Olympics are not about me or an individual.
The Conservative Noise Machine
Here are few countries in the western world where the conservative media is so well oiled and organised as in the US. And there are fewer still where they have such a huge following. Across the Europe, including the most liberal nations like Netherlands, there is no dearth of right-wing, venomous media outlets.
Ain't Goin' Nowhere
Since the phone hacking incident in Britain blew up, experts and industry insiders alike have come out with their respective versions of what awaits Murdoch and his empire and if the fighter would finally throw in his towel.
Of Charlatans, spinners and plain thugs
One of the most interesting (but also worrying) events in the reporting of Syrian uprising was the circulation of a photo of a battered three-year-old girl, with visible torture marks on her body and face.
Preemptive strife?
It was hilarious, and a tad worrisome too, to see how the Western press jumped the gun to declare the Russian elections "rigged†even before the votes were polled.
Just talk of War
Considering the column space and airtime it has taken, the story that has predominantly shaped the debate this month is the speculation on whether or not Israel will go for an unilateral attack on Iran’s nuclear installations.
‘World is ruled by the law of the jungle’
Given that it is practically impossible to predict what will happen in such a chaotic scenario, coupled with a virtual blackout by the mainstream media and clear attempts to disrupt the truth coming out through a hacking campaign and interference with communications, we can only speculate from what we see.
Selling Doomsday
There are so many things happening all over the world that the media is completely clueless about what to follow and what not to. However, somehow or the other, the western media knows what suits their interest and the interest of the countries they are based in and they prioritise their coverage in sync with that.
No spring near my home
If there is an example of a learning curve in media coverage worth mentioning in the near past, it has been the coverage of Occupy Wall Street (OWS) demonstrations by the mainstream press.
My Terrorist: Good or Bad
Henrik Ibsen, one of the most famous Norwegian playwrights ever, once famously quipped, “The worst enemy of truth and freedom in our society is the compound majority.†Little did he know that this maxim will one day stand true for his own country.
I refuse to learn
From racial stereotypes to below-the-belt tactics, European Media used all the tricks in the bag to humiliate the crisis-ridden Greece
Journos hit hard in conflict zone Pakistan
The US’ decision to keep Pakistan in dark about the raid that killed Osama bin Laden was no surprise seeing the history of Pakistan’s intelligence services. On May 29, Sayed Saleem Shahzad, the Pakistan bureau chief for the Asia Times, headed to a television studio to be interviewed.
The ‘Agenda’ Setback
With the notable exception of Iran, none of the countries in the world has seen such intense media scrutiny on its election as Turkey. And that is not new. It all started way back in 2003 when the then Turkish Government under PM ErdoÄŸan refused the US passage to attack Iraq.
Journalists report at their own peril
Nepal’s prolonged political transition has been marked by rampant impunity. The absence of any convictions for war time crimes, the increase in political influences on independent state institutions, and the frequent recourse to violence by political parties and their fraternal organisations has all resulted in a culture where the most ruthless of crimes can go unpunished.
Issue Dated: Feb 5, 2017
