Huge death tolls outside America is hardly noticed

[Conversationist]

Ever notice that if hundreds or thousands die at once in the "third world" our media hardly reports it.

Thousands die due to wars in Africa every month, but it hardly reported.

Hundreds die in a hurricane in Central America but it is barely reported.

But if a hundred would die in London or Paris due to a teror attack or storm, it would be big news.

Or in the case of Friday's earthquake in Asia, it has to be really big to get attention. Even then the story is lost to its effect on the War on Terror.

Is "life cheap" in these countries? Or do Americans not relate to the people in third world countries and so their deaths mean very little to us? Why is death so much more important story if it happens in first world countries?

 

[dcentity2000]

It's the same here. The BBC do their best, but a sizeable proportion of the public just isn't too concerned with "far away" events. If there's an attack on London and ten people die it's an outrage; if it's yet another skirmish in the Congo or Darfur it's "other news".

It's very sad.



Rich::

 

[shortbun]

My 10yo son got in the car after school yesterday and said, "Mom, are people just stupid?" So, I say,"what are you talking about?!" in a cautious tone. He says, "more than 20,000 people died in an earthquake somewhere and we keep hearing about hurricanes! Don't we care about the earthquake victims?" His "we" was collective but I assured him that "we" care and gave him a lesson on geography and what we ARE and ARE NOT in control of.

 

[jrydberg]

I'm sorry, did you say something?

 

[Missy1961]

I guess you don't read the paper or watch the news.

 

[KelNottAt]

Yes, for the most part I agree that broadcast network TV media under-report tragedies outside the US. But, I don't think this is necessarily editorial bias AGAINST those parts of the world as much as it is bias IN FAVOR of our own home grown scandals, politics and tragedies.

Look at it this way: the network evening news is only 22 minutes long. Since their audience is American, the news they report will be mostly American. This leaves the more comprehensive international reporting to all-news networks, news magazines, websites, and newspapers. Media that is not limited by minutes or pages doesn't have to be as selective in what it reports.

Now, ironically, I caught all of Brian Williams's show last night. His lead story was the Indian/Pakistan earthquake. I kept expecting for the report to end soon (like in 40 seconds), but it didn't. NBC devoted (IIRC) all air time before the first commercial to the quake. I was pleased and impressed....Then I remembered it was Columbus Day. They didn't have any news coming out of the federal government, so there was plenty of "spare" air time.

Later there was a report about the change of leadership in Germany. All it got was a 30-second "in other news" mention. To me, this seemed to deserve a lot more coverage.

 

[luvwinnie]

I've seen a lot of coverage about the earthquake on CNN and Fox. And the Tsunami coverage was nonstop it seemed. As KellNotAtt said, the local channels only have so much time and let's face it, we are ALL more interested in what affects us personally and directly. If there is a terror threat in NY it affects me because I am here every day. Of course,I feel horrible about people suffering in other countries, but I NEED to know what is going on in my own backyard.

 

[Conversationist]

Our media is very interested in death if it happens in Aruba. How much longer are they going to talk about Natalie Holaway (spelling??). When will that story die?

 

[momof2minnies]

Oh please where was Pakistan when we needed help???? We are still putting Fla. back together from Ivan and Jeanne but we continue to send money OUT of this country when our OWN people are still not taken care of, never mind the money dumped into Iraq. Business should be taken care of at home first.And about the hurricanes, do you think we were in the minds of the rest of the world- yeah right!

 

[Feralpeg]

I've seen a ton of coverage on the earthquake. Don't you get tired of trying to stir people up?

 

[JoeThaNo1Stunna]

People are more interested in stories that are closer to them or that involved people similar to themselves.

It's not that Americans don't care, it's just human nature.

If a major news story takes place in your city, most people will pay more attention to it than one that takes place on the other side of the country.

 

[SeeDisney]

I remember hearing that a stunning number of 5,000 Africans every day die of AIDS. Yes, 5,000 a day die of AIDS in Africa. And you never hear it in the news.

That's just the media is......................

 

[Quackmore]

Oh please where was Pakistan when we needed help???? We are still putting Fla. back together from Ivan and Jeanne but we continue to send money OUT of this country when our OWN people are still not taken care of, never mind the money dumped into Iraq. Business should be taken care of at home first.And about the hurricanes, do you think we were in the minds of the rest of the world- yeah right!

Excellent Post! I agree 100%. We have enough problems of our own to deal with right here in the USA.

 

[dcentity2000]

Oh please where was Pakistan when we needed help???? We are still putting Fla. back together from Ivan and Jeanne but we continue to send money OUT of this country when our OWN people are still not taken care of, never mind the money dumped into Iraq. Business should be taken care of at home first.And about the hurricanes, do you think we were in the minds of the rest of the world- yeah right!

Now that's just nasty.

Pakistan has followed the USA in the war on terrorism and has mounted armed assaults on enemies all over the region. They have HELPED you and now THEY need help.

And besides, what's with the "could care less, not in my backyard" attitude?

[EDITED]: Was a little too harsh, sorry!

[EIDTED]: Should've said dudette. Whoops



Rich::

 

[inaminute]

Oh please where was Pakistan when we needed help????

If you're referring to Hurricane Katrina, both Pakistan and India offered assistance. I don't know whether we actually accepted, though. But the offer was there.

And even if they didn't, who cares? People need help. They have no food, no water, no homes. Same as the victims of Katrina--except they've experienced considerably more death and there are significantly more people affected. They've lost entire families of loved ones. Entire schools of children were killed. Granted, we can't do anything for those who have been lost, but we can, and should, help those remaining. Nationality has nothing to do with it--it's the humane thing to do.

 

[momof2minnies]

My backyard is exactly what I am talking about!

 

[toto2]

Oh please where was Pakistan when we needed help???? We are still putting Fla. back together from Ivan and Jeanne but we continue to send money OUT of this country when our OWN people are still not taken care of, never mind the money dumped into Iraq. Business should be taken care of at home first.And about the hurricanes, do you think we were in the minds of the rest of the world- yeah right!

First,This is a bit like asking the cashier at McDonald to help Bill Gates.

Secondly , the question was about media coverage , not sending help/money/good thoughts.

Third , this is not helping a governement or politicians , it is helping people who have lost everything. They deserve at least some kind of compassion. Suffering , often , is not politicly motivated. It cannot always be " my way or the highway".

Third , Pakistan is helping the USA with its "war on terror".

 

[padams]

Iwonder if "we" are suffering disaster fatigue. With the tsunami last year, the London and Spain bombings, the death tolls from Iraq, and the hurricanes last year and this year, we have had death and destruction in the news every day for the last couple of years.

 

[Quackmore]

Now that's just nasty.

Pakistan has followed the USA in the war on terrorism and has mounted armed assaults on enemies all over the region. They have HELPED you and now THEY need help.

And besides, what's with the "could care less, not in my backyard" attitude?

[EDITED]: Was a little too harsh, sorry!

[EIDTED]: Should've said dudette. Whoops



Rich::

What's nasty about it!!!!! She's entitled to her opinion just like you are. I'm one who definitely sides with her.

 

[Sian]

People are more interested in stories that are closer to them or that involved people similar to themselves.

It's not that Americans don't care, it's just human nature.

.

I think this is a large part of it. Most of us empathise best with those most like ourselves. I was more interested in following the Katrina news stories than I have been about the earthquake. I know that's not a good thing and I try not to let my 'interest level' affect my giving, but I think it is quite natural. The death of someone we know moves us more than the death of a stranger. I feel more 'connected' to Americans so I am more interested in their difficulties. As a mother, I am most moved when I see film of women unable to alleviate the suffering of their children.