Saddam execution: why we need international coverage
Steve Safran December 29th, 2006
The American networks’ mere whisper of the execution of Saddam Hussein is exactly the reason why we need better access to international news channels. Even our news channels, giving this story the time it deserves, are stuck quoting Arab news sources. We, as news consumers, should demand the ability to get news as it is reported from around the world. I would much rather be watching al-Jazeera right now than skipping through channels to see who is quoting it.
Screengrab of stream from al-Jazeera English, only available online with subscription.
8 Comments Add your own
1. Kerry | December 29th, 2006 at 8:52 pm
Do you have BBC World over there?
2. David Westin | December 29th, 2006 at 9:03 pm
I agree, Steve.
The problem with US networks is this: we pay exorbitant salaries to news anchors who simply read others stories.
On the day Ford is remembered and Hussein is executed, NBC’s Brian Williams was off, Katie Couric was off. MSNBC has Melissa (don’t know her last name because she is, what, fourth or fifth string?) on.
NBC runs promos, the feel good, soft ones, of Meredith Veiria saying, “I’m so happy to be here.”
US networks need to bolster worldwide news coverage. Absolutely. The first thing to go should be these high priced mouths.
It does not help to hear Anderson Cooper saying “uh,” or “um” every other word.
3. David Westin | December 29th, 2006 at 9:04 pm
And someone tell me what the purpose of hiring Amanda Congden is? What is the big deal about her? Well, besides the double D’s.
4. thebaghdadchannel | December 29th, 2006 at 10:22 pm
great!
this provides ample cover for announcing a major escalation of troops into that hellhole.
ohhhh, the timing.
5. Nick Geidner | December 30th, 2006 at 11:10 am
U.S. network should cover much more international news and we should have more access to international news. I agree with both of those, but my biggest thing is the coverage that we have, should be better. It really bothers me that on CNN last most of the reaction shots were from Dearborn, Michigan. They were celebrating, but of course they were…they are exiles. They do not represent a good cross-section of who this story is effecting.
Also the news should cover news everywhere, not just news that will get people to watch. How long did it take the nets to actually say anything about Darfur and where are the nets on the war in Afghanistan? The nets and cable news needs to act like the fourth estate…questioning government actions with good , quality reporting.
Required Reading for this Thread:
Neil Postman’s Amusing Ourselves to Death
Herman and Chomsky’s Manufacturing Consent
6. suhel khan | January 1st, 2007 at 7:28 am
plz send me this video clip
7. Photios | September 7th, 2007 at 6:06 am
Nice
8. lucy | January 19th, 2008 at 5:18 am
Wow, thanks for the excellent information!
Leave a Comment
(Please keep URLs out of the comment body or the spam filter will block you.)Subscribe to the comments via RSS Feed