Tokyo Tsunami

[Baj]

Why is it always Britain going in to help with things like this? Never Germany, Spain, France etc.

 

Whatever happens in any part of the world we always seem to be first to put our hand in!

 

Australia, China, New Zealand, Israel, Singapore, Indonesia, India, Russia, Turkey, Germany, France, Belgium, Ukraine, Slovakia, United Arab Emirates, Switzerland, Hungary, Poland, Jordan, Britain, the European Union, Chile, Spain, Greece, Hong Kong, Pakistan, Argentina and Iceland

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jdrxqm4HrwruaCJ5j_7k00RjS_bg?docId=CNG.19d12e5647311a6750cb654cad6306f8.101

[Deppo]

It absolutely is - just a bit frustrating at the same time that other countries don't try and help!

 

Mental.

[Lighthouse]

Australia, China, New Zealand, Israel, Singapore, Indonesia, India, Russia, Turkey, Germany, France, Belgium, Ukraine, Slovakia, United Arab Emirates, Switzerland, Hungary, Poland, Jordan, Britain, the European Union, Chile, Spain, Greece, Hong Kong, Pakistan, Argentina and Iceland

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jdrxqm4HrwruaCJ5j_7k00RjS_bg?docId=CNG.19d12e5647311a6750cb654cad6306f8.101

 

TBF, they probably know their sh*t when it comes to a nuclear meltdown.

[Baj]

TBF, they probably know their sh*t when it comes to a nuclear meltdown.

 

Nothing quite like learning on the job!

[Jonnyboy]

Why is it always Britain going in to help with things like this? Never Germany, Spain, France etc.

 

Whatever happens in any part of the world we always seem to be first to put our hand in!

 

bloody foreigners not helping other foreigners

[Deppo]

Nothing quite like learning on the job!

 

Boj, do you really believe that this is an appropriate comment on a serious thread about an international tragedy?

[Baj]

Boj, do you really believe that this is an appropriate comment on a serious thread about an international tragedy?

 

Entirely. Why? How much training do you think the other relief teams have in coping with a nuclear meltdown/explosion? The Ukrainians will be far the most experienced than any other country there. Care to explain why you took issue with my comment now you know why I made it?

[Deppo]

Entirely. Why? How much training do you think the other relief teams have in coping with a nuclear meltdown/explosion? The Ukrainians will be far the most experienced than any other country there. Care to explain why you took issue with my comment now you know why I made it?

 

No. I learn from the master. Infract first, explain later.

[aintforever]

This is shocking, whole towns just wiped off the map...

 

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/03/13/world/asia/satellite-photos-japan-before-and-after-tsunami.html

[Tokyo-Saint]

This is really bad. Some of the nicest people in the world. I'm not a sensitive guy at all but my heart really goes out to my friends and family over there.

[Deppo]

This is really bad. Some of the nicest people in the world. I'm not a sensitive guy at all but my heart really goes out to my friends and family over there.

 

This is a fantastic statement. You have my respect.

[Viking Warrior]

AsAs Tokyo saint says some of the nicest folk in the world. IO jut wish the media and mainly the british media would stop trying to create the news. Their glammed up news readers/ reporter trying to spin the disaster to even worse proportions than it already is.

 

It gets my goat when I see these reporters given their reports in the glare of loads of lights being on in the back ground while reporting Japan is in total darkness.

Can some one advise do the media have an exclusive priority to posh hotels . airports so they can come and go as they please irrepective of the carnage around them. Save the children are running a fund to provide for the children of japan but what about all the other folk in japan that have suffered do they not matter ?

Oh and dont get me started on the army of supposed experts who are able to comment on every aspect of the disaster wiht out ever visiting these countries. have they already forgotten about the NZ disaster?

 

As for the comment is it only britain that provides resuers. no it isnt but again the british media would have you think so. China and japan are some of the biggest providers of help n these diasters around the world. the numbers they send far out way the small token the UK provide.

 

Bloody BBC/ITV and Sky News

[Noodles34]

AsAs Tokyo saint says some of the nicest folk in the world. IO jut wish the media and mainly the british media would stop trying to create the news. Their glammed up news readers/ reporter trying to spin the disaster to even worse proportions than it already is.

 

It gets my goat when I see these reporters given their reports in the glare of loads of lights being on in the back ground while reporting Japan is in total darkness.

Can some one advise do the media have an exclusive priority to posh hotels . airports so they can come and go as they please irrepective of the carnage around them. Save the children are running a fund to provide for the children of japan but what about all the other folk in japan that have suffered do they not matter ?

Oh and dont get me started on the army of supposed experts who are able to comment on every aspect of the disaster wiht out ever visiting these countries. have they already forgotten about the NZ disaster?

 

As for the comment is it only britain that provides resuers. no it isnt but again the british media would have you think so. China and japan are some of the biggest providers of help n these diasters around the world. the numbers they send far out way the small token the UK provide.

 

Bloody BBC/ITV and Sky News

 

Is this for real? Or are you drunk/drugged?

[Baj]

Viking, I get the distinct impression that you are only hearing what you want to hear, and in fact are guilty of exactly the thing that you accuse the media of, namely spinning the story to their own gain.

 

I don't think anyone is trying to spin this worse than it already it... it really is this bad. How can you adequately report, for example, an explosion at a nuclear power station to YOUR satisfaction?

Earlier in this thread you accused the media of not reporting the effects of this on other locations, in fact when I read that post of yours I was listening to Sky News reporting the effects of the event on the other areas of the pacific rim.

It gets your goat up that they report in the glare of lights while everything else is in darkness? I dont get your point, would you prefer it if the camera men didnt carry batteries and lights? Its the medias job to report on events, if you dont like it, you have a choice not watch it. If you want impartiality then just read the AFP website.

Save the children are running a fund for the children? Of course they are. You dont like the fact that they are not raising for others? Thats not their mandate, other charities, im sure, (like the international red cross for example) will be doing their own fund raising.

 

And the accusation that the British media are only portraying that the British are helping out is quite frankly a joke, from what Ive watched theyve shown plenty of footage of other nations helping out.

 

I dont get the point of your post, but you obviously have your back up about something else before this event and feel this is a good opportunity to vent that. It isnt.

[skintsaint]

If you're on facebook check this out.

 

 

basically from a trickle to that in 6mins....the car at the start I reckon wouldnt have made it.

[thesaint sfc]

I disagree. They play the same footage over and over again. They zoom out and in on the same footage so it looks different. To begin with they were only saying the British were trying to help which is why I said what I said earlier in the thread. If they weren't giving that impression, I wouldn't have got it? There is not a doubt in my mind that they've been very typical of reporters in the way they've highlighted things. It is what I fully expected though as this is what always happens! I don't know how they could do it any differently as everything that has happened can be covered in 15 minutes of talking, so they have to try and drag it out a bit longer than 15 minutes! I'll always hate reporters though. It is a case of doomed if they do, doomed if they don't. I don't think the BBC does a bad job in comparison to some other channels though.

[Kingsland Codger]

I'm fortunate enough to report that my wife, currently in Japan, visiting her elderly mother on the Pacific Coast is safe and sound. My daughter lives in Sapporo and so is some way North of the disaster area. My son, his fiancee and my cousin and his family are in central Tokyo and although experiencing the quake and the many after-shocks, were otherwise unaffected.

[thesaint sfc]

If you're on facebook check this out.

 

 

basically from a trickle to that in 6mins....the car at the start I reckon wouldnt have made it.

 

It really is like watching the day after tomorrow. My heart really does go out to the people affected.

 

Can't really get my head around it. It's like thinking of the whole of Brighton being wiped off the face of the planet. The history that has gone into all those buildings, the memories and everything completely irradicated. I just can't get my head around how massive this must have affected people. Their homes, businesses, cars completely lost - and in some even worst cases entire families lives taken.

[dubai_phil]

I understand what Viking Saint is trying to get at. A couple of points on the coverage have "mildly annoyed me"

 

Firstly, just how many reporters have UK media sent over there? Now considering flights were cancelled and worried relatives haven't been able to get home, a large number of TV crews have obviously managed to get there.

 

Then we hear about relief efforts being hampered by the lack of infrastructure and only one road being open and yet the TV crews (no doubt from every country in the world) have got through. I have this vision of all the aid trucks stuck behind TV vans in massive jams while they jump out to take another picture. A little facetious I admit but the worry on the Sky team's faces as they climbed a building after a Tsunami warning - what about the rescue teams? Are they in the way or taking resources to manage them all?

 

The other really annoying thing is that every reporter starts with repeating what the ENTIRE planet must now be fully aware of - that there has been an earthquake & Tsunami in Japan. They have a 90 second slot and spend the first 20 or so seconds saying the same thing over and over and over.

 

There are so many horror and heartbreaking stories out there, so many hours of amateur footage and yet we get so much repitition.

 

People up there right now need HELP, they need lifts and food and water and consolation, they do NOT need somebody demanding gasoline for their TV crew or scarce food and water. Yes they are helping make us aware of it but I really think many Japanese would benefit from something OVER than having a camera stuck in their face.

 

Forget the Pullitzer prize people, join in and HELP

 

Rant over, still shocked and horrified by the whole thing

[dubai_phil]

It really is like watching the day after tomorrow. My heart really does go out to the people affected.

 

Can't really get my head around it. It's like thinking of the whole of Brighton being wiped off the face of the planet. The history that has gone into all those buildings, the memories and everything completely irradicated. I just can't get my head around how massive this must have affected people. Their homes, businesses, cars completely lost - and in some even worst cases entire families lives taken.

 

 

1,300 kms of coastline affected in one report. It is more like losing the South Coast of Cornwall and then some, not maybe human numbers wise but in terms of Geography. Again, something that only started yesterday with the Google Images that we could see the scale and range of the destruction

[Pancake]

I don't know how they could do it any differently as everything that has happened can be covered in 15 minutes of talking, so they have to try and drag it out a bit longer than 15 minutes!

 

Everything that has happened can be covered in 15 minutes? Seriously?

 

 

Can't really get my head around it.... I just can't get my head around how massive this must have affected people.

 

But everything could be covered in a quarter of an hour, yeah?

[Rory]

Odd.

 

March 8: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95zMdTvoqcQ&feature=channel_video_title

March 9:

March 11: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ls8bAXx9ArQ&feature=channel_video_title

March 12: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=js33r5lQzd4&feature=relmfu

Two hours ago: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvF7EdWQLmc&feature=channel_video_title

 

lol

[thesaint sfc]

Pancack. I was merely saying that they are trying to drag the limited amount of what they've got to talk about out over a long period of time. As Phil said they start every sentence by 'An earthquake has hit Japan' yadder yadder yadder. On the breaking news section of their website they even had 'Barack Obama has been woken up early to be informed of the earthquake'. It's a load of s#it.

[Hatch]

There has been some sensationalist 'points scoring' reporting.

 

ITN introduced some footage last night of some 'new footage that we have managed to obtain', obviously just said to 'big up' their news crew, then promptly showed footage that had been shown on every channel for the previous 24 hours.

[thesaint sfc]

Odd.

 

March 8: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95zMdTvoqcQ&feature=channel_video_title

March 9:

March 11: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ls8bAXx9ArQ&feature=channel_video_title

March 12: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=js33r5lQzd4&feature=relmfu

Two hours ago: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvF7EdWQLmc&feature=channel_video_title

 

lol

 

No way am I wearing a poncho.

[Special K]

It must be difficult for the news channels that provide 24 hour coverage to fill the time, but this does tend to lead to repetition and inane reporting. It's the same on any big news story, however, i agree with Phils point about numerous news crews from all over the globe decending on the place as soon as they can, when really all the available supply routes should be kept open for aid and helpers. Perhaps if they dropped the cameras and picked up some shovels they would be able to help a bit better.

 

The presenters do ask some awfully embarrassing questions though. I'd love it if someone gave them a load of verbal to the "how are you feeling right now?" type questions.

[Viking Warrior]

Thankyou Dubai Phil and Co

 

It is the media I am getting at , repeat after repeat etc. I want to hear more form tehe japanese folk themselves how they are responding to this disaster. Not the media and so called experts that the main news channels have access to 24/7.

I have a japanese news site on sky . its interesting as you have an english speaking japanese translator on behalf of the japanase speaking government giving information. which is what I want to here but even this footage has a western media commentator over riding her voice so that you cannot actually hear her.

 

Asfor save the Children campaign , yes I am aware of this mandate but given the scale of what has happened in my thoughts are that all charities providing help should unite and provide a cohesive strategy programme for all as an assistance to the Japanese government. Not a piecemeal process

[SuperMikey]

If you're on facebook check this out.

 

 

basically from a trickle to that in 6mins....the car at the start I reckon wouldnt have made it.

 

I'm not sure whether to be awed or upset by that video...just incredible force. The way that the water was just picking up entire buildings and carrying them downstream like they were empty plastic bottles or something... Hope nobody was hurt in that particular video.

[tpbury]

The Japanese central bank has pumped billions of dollars into the yen market and share prices for various companies have changed. There's going to be a whole bunch of people making a stack of cash on this - I'm sure many porsches have been bought and paid for in the last couple of days. Is there any point where rich people wont consider making themselves richer still? So, Japan bankrupts itself keeping the currency going and asks for aid at the same time - because it has to. Why not the billionaires say - hold on, we'll not take advantage of your weakness, we'll cease trading yen and affected stocks for a while? Why don't we pay for some aid?

 

No, they'll take massive profits, make some tokenistic contribution to a rebuilding programme, encourage 'normal' people to contribute to a disaster fund and ensure the system stays in place for the next time there's a buck to be made.

[tpbury]

What I'm saying is:

a) Earthquake in Japan

b) Japan government pays loads of money to keep Yen value.

c) Bunch of FKKKKINNNNNNN CNNNNNNNNTSSSSSSSSSSS collect money - spend/invest it in their home countries.

d) Japan - or any other country that has got rolled - tries to rebuild itself using loans that it already paid for.

[Jonnyboy]

I understand what Viking Saint is trying to get at. A couple of points on the coverage have "mildly annoyed me"

 

Firstly, just how many reporters have UK media sent over there? Now considering flights were cancelled and worried relatives haven't been able to get home, a large number of TV crews have obviously managed to get there.

 

Then we hear about relief efforts being hampered by the lack of infrastructure and only one road being open and yet the TV crews (no doubt from every country in the world) have got through. I have this vision of all the aid trucks stuck behind TV vans in massive jams while they jump out to take another picture. A little facetious I admit but the worry on the Sky team's faces as they climbed a building after a Tsunami warning - what about the rescue teams? Are they in the way or taking resources to manage them all?

 

The other really annoying thing is that every reporter starts with repeating what the ENTIRE planet must now be fully aware of - that there has been an earthquake & Tsunami in Japan. They have a 90 second slot and spend the first 20 or so seconds saying the same thing over and over and over.

 

There are so many horror and heartbreaking stories out there, so many hours of amateur footage and yet we get so much repitition.

 

People up there right now need HELP, they need lifts and food and water and consolation, they do NOT need somebody demanding gasoline for their TV crew or scarce food and water. Yes they are helping make us aware of it but I really think many Japanese would benefit from something OVER than having a camera stuck in their face.

 

Forget the Pullitzer prize people, join in and HELP

 

Rant over, still shocked and horrified by the whole thing

 

if the reporters started unloading bottles of water with all the other volunteers and Japanese they would lose their jobs.

[Verbal]

I understand what Viking Saint is trying to get at. A couple of points on the coverage have "mildly annoyed me"

 

Firstly, just how many reporters have UK media sent over there? Now considering flights were cancelled and worried relatives haven't been able to get home, a large number of TV crews have obviously managed to get there.

 

Then we hear about relief efforts being hampered by the lack of infrastructure and only one road being open and yet the TV crews (no doubt from every country in the world) have got through. I have this vision of all the aid trucks stuck behind TV vans in massive jams while they jump out to take another picture. A little facetious I admit but the worry on the Sky team's faces as they climbed a building after a Tsunami warning - what about the rescue teams? Are they in the way or taking resources to manage them all?

 

The other really annoying thing is that every reporter starts with repeating what the ENTIRE planet must now be fully aware of - that there has been an earthquake & Tsunami in Japan. They have a 90 second slot and spend the first 20 or so seconds saying the same thing over and over and over.

 

There are so many horror and heartbreaking stories out there, so many hours of amateur footage and yet we get so much repitition.

 

People up there right now need HELP, they need lifts and food and water and consolation, they do NOT need somebody demanding gasoline for their TV crew or scarce food and water. Yes they are helping make us aware of it but I really think many Japanese would benefit from something OVER than having a camera stuck in their face.

 

Forget the Pullitzer prize people, join in and HELP

 

Rant over, still shocked and horrified by the whole thing

 

I wonder how this epic tragedy has been turned, in classic Saintsweb fashion, into a rant about biased or obstructive news crews - all based on supposition and clearly considerable lack of knowledge of how news crews operate. With the death of an Al Jazeera crew in Libya and the disappearance of the remarkable Guardian journalist Ghaith Abdul-Ahad, it's clear journalists don't take the easy option when reporting tragedy. Most also recognise that news is a means of mobilising support - which is why many authorities go to extra lengths to allow international crews access.

 

This is one of those 'bigger picture' arguments - whatever perceived grumble you may have (from your La-Z-boy recliner in Dubai?), you have to allow for the distinct probability that news coverage mobilises help. Even a technologically advanced country like Japan needs the world to focus on its pressing problems, in the face of a recovery and reconstruction effort that is only surpassed by that needed after the second world war.

 

Oh, and it's one L in Pulitzer, and the prize is only open to Americans.

[dubai_phil]

I wonder how this epic tragedy has been turned, in classic Saintsweb fashion, into a rant about biased or obstructive news crews - all based on supposition and clearly considerable lack of knowledge of how news crews operate. With the death of an Al Jazeera crew in Libya and the disappearance of the remarkable Guardian journalist Ghaith Abdul-Ahad, it's clear journalists don't take the easy option when reporting tragedy. Most also recognise that news is a means of mobilising support - which is why many authorities go to extra lengths to allow international crews access.

 

This is one of those 'bigger picture' arguments - whatever perceived grumble you may have (from your La-Z-boy recliner in Dubai?), you have to allow for the distinct probability that news coverage mobilises help. Even a technologically advanced country like Japan needs the world to focus on its pressing problems, in the face of a recovery and reconstruction effort that is only surpassed by that needed after the second world war.

 

Oh, and it's one L in Pulitzer, and the prize is only open to Americans.

 

1) The full extent of the story only really unfolded once Google gave new Sat pics. Up to that point there were few if any attempts to show the distance that the actual disaster had covered. granted now that people are there we can see better. No issue with media improving our understanding

2) My main gripe is simply that (as an example0 the BBC World anchorman (who's name I don't know) in Sendai started EVERY link Saturday & Sunday explaining that there had been the biggest quake in history and then a Tsunami casuing a wall of water in an explanation that on average lasted 30 seconds out of a 90 second lead in to a new story. Sorry, after 3 days to assume that viewers did not KNOW what had happened is poor journalism. Each and every other reporter in some way used the same lead in. My point was simply yes we know.

3) The stories of despair and tragedy as well as the remarkable survival tales (like the old people in the car) hit home and carry a powerful message. A woman in tears trying to find her parents house let alone them is pretty graphic. Is it really necessary to ask someone in tears "How do you feel?"

4) Anna Botting did a much better job today from the car showroom by walking around, not using cliches and actually showing the tide mark on the building, she expressed the horror of not knowing whether some(body) may still be in an upturned car very well. Then they showed film of them rushing to higher ground in a general stampede to a limited space on the first floor of a building - without enough room for everyone else around and yet the rescue workers all drive out of the area.

 

There are good reporters and there are bad ones. Young Holly from Sky seems moved and affected and yet the younger BBC World ones (who you may not have in UK) all seem to have a wow this is going to make me into Kate Aide. I have a slight issue with that and with some idiot retelling me that there had been an earthquake when (as Viking says) it drowns out the ACTUAL news coming from one of the Japanese Ministers.

 

The scale of destruction is horrific and makes you wonder what the world really needs to send. Should we send rescue teams or teams & equipment to build temporary accomodation and repair roads water & food supplies. As in where the hell do the poor sods START.

 

Oh, and Journalists report what their publisher wants them to. Don't confuse media based revolutions with Natural Disasters.

[Crab Lungs]

The Japanese central bank has pumped billions of dollars into the yen market and share prices for various companies have changed. There's going to be a whole bunch of people making a stack of cash on this - I'm sure many porsches have been bought and paid for in the last couple of days. Is there any point where rich people wont consider making themselves richer still? So, Japan bankrupts itself keeping the currency going and asks for aid at the same time - because it has to. Why not the billionaires say - hold on, we'll not take advantage of your weakness, we'll cease trading yen and affected stocks for a while? Why don't we pay for some aid?

 

No, they'll take massive profits, make some tokenistic contribution to a rebuilding programme, encourage 'normal' people to contribute to a disaster fund and ensure the system stays in place for the next time there's a buck to be made.

 

You my friend have summed up my feelings pretty damn well, thank you.

[aintforever]

The Japanese central bank has pumped billions of dollars into the yen market and share prices for various companies have changed. There's going to be a whole bunch of people making a stack of cash on this - I'm sure many porsches have been bought and paid for in the last couple of days. Is there any point where rich people wont consider making themselves richer still? So, Japan bankrupts itself keeping the currency going and asks for aid at the same time - because it has to. Why not the billionaires say - hold on, we'll not take advantage of your weakness, we'll cease trading yen and affected stocks for a while? Why don't we pay for some aid?

 

No, they'll take massive profits, make some tokenistic contribution to a rebuilding programme, encourage 'normal' people to contribute to a disaster fund and ensure the system stays in place for the next time there's a buck to be made.

 

It's all OK because they pay some tax.

Edited 14 March, 2011 by aintforever

[teamsaint]

It's all OK because they pay some tax.

 

but we do have to worry, because if governments tax these parasite too much they will leave for another country.

And that is a very bad thing because, like rupert lowe, they are irreplaceable.

[Verbal]

1) The full extent of the story only really unfolded once Google gave new Sat pics. Up to that point there were few if any attempts to show the distance that the actual disaster had covered. granted now that people are there we can see better. No issue with media improving our understanding

2) My main gripe is simply that (as an example0 the BBC World anchorman (who's name I don't know) in Sendai started EVERY link Saturday & Sunday explaining that there had been the biggest quake in history and then a Tsunami casuing a wall of water in an explanation that on average lasted 30 seconds out of a 90 second lead in to a new story. Sorry, after 3 days to assume that viewers did not KNOW what had happened is poor journalism. Each and every other reporter in some way used the same lead in. My point was simply yes we know.

3) The stories of despair and tragedy as well as the remarkable survival tales (like the old people in the car) hit home and carry a powerful message. A woman in tears trying to find her parents house let alone them is pretty graphic. Is it really necessary to ask someone in tears "How do you feel?"

4) Anna Botting did a much better job today from the car showroom by walking around, not using cliches and actually showing the tide mark on the building, she expressed the horror of not knowing whether some(body) may still be in an upturned car very well. Then they showed film of them rushing to higher ground in a general stampede to a limited space on the first floor of a building - without enough room for everyone else around and yet the rescue workers all drive out of the area.

 

There are good reporters and there are bad ones. Young Holly from Sky seems moved and affected and yet the younger BBC World ones (who you may not have in UK) all seem to have a wow this is going to make me into Kate Aide. I have a slight issue with that and with some idiot retelling me that there had been an earthquake when (as Viking says) it drowns out the ACTUAL news coming from one of the Japanese Ministers.

 

The scale of destruction is horrific and makes you wonder what the world really needs to send. Should we send rescue teams or teams & equipment to build temporary accomodation and repair roads water & food supplies. As in where the hell do the poor sods START.

 

Oh, and Journalists report what their publisher wants them to. Don't confuse media based revolutions with Natural Disasters.

 

If you're saying there is good and bad reporting, then no **** sherlock - although I am at a loss to understand how you think the google images added much beyond some pretty basic information about the scale of the disaster. You seem though to have simply changed tack in your argument, moving away from unsubstantiated claims about news crews using up valuable resources.

 

And what on earth does your last sentence mean? I detect in that a typical ex-pat reaction I heard too depressingly often in Indonesia under the failing Suharto regime. They too were fearful of uprisings - fearful because they threatened their comfortable, parasitic and hugely exploitative existence. If this is not the case, how exactly does Rupert Murdoch demand that the tsunami is reported substantially differently to, say, Channel Four News? If, as you say, news journalists only report this story according to the strict limits laid down by their 'publisher', give me one good, concrete example in the reporting of the tsunami.

 

Really - I'm interested to know exactly what you mean.

[Dog]

tragic!

Edited 14 March, 2011 by Dog

[aintforever]

Some of the coverage does seem over-sensationalist, especially Sky News. There's a bit they always do just before the commercial break with a montage of clips with a gloomy music soundtrack followed by "Tsunami, after the break on Sky News". It's like disaster porn.

 

I don't see what harm it does though it can only draw extra attention to the disaster and maybe encourage donations.

[Jonnyboy]

but we do have to worry, because if governments tax these parasite too much they will leave for another country.

And that is a very bad thing because, like rupert lowe, they are irreplaceable.

 

lolage

[dubai_phil]

If you're saying there is good and bad reporting, then no **** sherlock - although I am at a loss to understand how you think the google images added much beyond some pretty basic information about the scale of the disaster. You seem though to have simply changed tack in your argument, moving away from unsubstantiated claims about news crews using up valuable resources.

 

And what on earth does your last sentence mean? I detect in that a typical ex-pat reaction I heard too depressingly often in Indonesia under the failing Suharto regime. They too were fearful of uprisings - fearful because they threatened their comfortable, parasitic and hugely exploitative existence. If this is not the case, how exactly does Rupert Murdoch demand that the tsunami is reported substantially differently to, say, Channel Four News? If, as you say, news journalists only report this story according to the strict limits laid down by their 'publisher', give me one good, concrete example in the reporting of the tsunami.

 

Really - I'm interested to know exactly what you mean.

 

OK

 

1) 580,000 people evacuated from just the 20km area around Fukiwhatsit Reactors, No homes cannot go anywhere no fuel relying on evacuation centre rations.

2) Total melt down of the food distribution system compounding the destruction of Supermarkets & possibly distribution centres for food for several million people in the region

3) Water & Electricity systems off line

4) 100,000 troops, Emergency Rescue Teams equipment, supplies & logistics have ONE road into the area

5) You are being UK centric. Every major country has news crews in the country, TV & National Press. If we TRY and guess the UK then you have your TV channel crews, you have Press crews. multiply that by possibly 40 or 50 nations putting press into the area.

6) The disaster zone spreads from around 150km north of Tokyo. Holly from Sky took 24 hours driving to get 120kms. She now has got further into the region. I assume that the driver of her white minibus took a spare can of gas because she's still moving around. But for how long? The residents and families cannot get into the area to search or away from it as there is no gas. Queues are forming across Japan and stores are being hit by panic buying. But the (for example) Sky crews must have used at least half a tank by now. Fine IF they prepared and have reserves, but maybe they could have taken an extra couplf of cans to help someone along the way.

Good Samaritans is my point, not rescue workers

 

The press report what they are paid to report, Again in your response you are being UK centric. Apart from the Beeb, most media is paid for from advertising revenues, the more watchers/readers the more income they make. Putting that into a SLANT perspective is easy - hence the "doom and gloom music montage" as mentioned above - Stay Tuned for MORE news" equates to look our viewing figures went up. But of course the Beeb can ONLY use that in defence of their licence fee justifcation (rightly so) but they still pander to ratings.

 

However ONE example is how the BBC is accused of being angled in a certain political position or how it reports (I will take for example the situation in Palestine. IF you showed the BBC coverage and editorial of that to (for example) a Fox News watcher they would want to burn down the BBC because a Fox US viewer sees only a Right Wing Obama is evil agenda).

 

Again, for example the Press here in ME region reports in a very different way because of their mandates, the political influences and also how they can gain MORE readers/viewers so they can sell more adverts.

I accept wasn't clear when I said The Press, I meant "The Global News machine", not the dear old Brit stuff which you have leapt up to defend.

But Press report what they are told to (seen any statements out of Libya by State TV for example)

 

You defend the Brit media - well yes they DO have a lot of freedom and a lot of balance compared to MANY. But that view is slanted. In this instance we have no clear indication apart from talking heads (AS AN EXAMPLE) about the threat of a Nuclear Meltdown. However the different channels (Fox, MSNBC, CNN, Sky & BBC all have very different focuses on this)

A CYNIC would say that some possible news editors have an anti Nuclear agenda and have pushed the coverage higher. The Yanks are more of a well this is our technology we know it will be alright but it is worrying. They DON'T lead with a "We're all doomed a Meltdown is coming" type tag line (exagerated for effect)

 

This evening saw a change from Ian Woods & Holly on Sky their reports were good but they suddenly showed a human side that made their reports more powerful, finally they looked like they understood the scale of the tragedy and it has hit them and they are now doing MORE than a job

Edited 14 March, 2011 by dubai_phil

[Verbal]

Points 1 to 4 are just listed facts. They convey the awfulness of the event, certainly, but I'm not sure what point you're making with them.

 

Why am I being 'UK centric'? I have never proposed the idiotic idea that only British crews are there. Are you slipping back to your 'there are so many they MUST be disrupting the relief work' supposition? If so, what's the evidence?

 

You have to distinguish between the way news is reported and the way editors package it. The best reports can be given the crassest wrap-arounds. But the tsunami aftermath is a rolling news story by definition.

 

I haven't leapt to defend the 'dear old Brit stuff'. I have got clearer reporting from the New York Times than many of the British newspapers. The BBC News website, though, is hard to beat.

 

Having just watched Channel Four News and ITV News, the threat of 'nuclear meltdown' was NOT reported in the way you say it was. You seem to be making this up to have a bit of a peeve. Both reported that a Chernobyl-scale meltdown was extremely unlikely, and used independent expert voices to express this. How is this 'slanted'? Please find an example of the 'we're doomed' agenda. I can't find it anywhere except your favoured Daily Mail.

 

Just my opinion, but some of the best reporting on the tragedy was done tonight by C4 News, and by Alex Thompson and John Snow in particular. Both eschewed the annoying 'I've been there and now I'll tell you about it live' approach. Their reports were considered, beautifully written and moving.

[suewhistle]

Just been watching this and shouting at the screen: MOVE! http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12735023

 

The bit after 1 minute there are people down the hill on the LHS watching as if it's just a high tide and making no attempt to make sure they're as high as possible. I can't make out their behaviour; it's frightening.

[dubai_phil]

Points 1 to 4 are just listed facts. They convey the awfulness of the event, certainly, but I'm not sure what point you're making with them.

 

Why am I being 'UK centric'? I have never proposed the idiotic idea that only British crews are there. Are you slipping back to your 'there are so many they MUST be disrupting the relief work' supposition? If so, what's the evidence?

 

You have to distinguish between the way news is reported and the way editors package it. The best reports can be given the crassest wrap-arounds. But the tsunami aftermath is a rolling news story by definition.

 

I haven't leapt to defend the 'dear old Brit stuff'. I have got clearer reporting from the New York Times than many of the British newspapers. The BBC News website, though, is hard to beat.

 

Having just watched Channel Four News and ITV News, the threat of 'nuclear meltdown' was NOT reported in the way you say it was. You seem to be making this up to have a bit of a peeve. Both reported that a Chernobyl-scale meltdown was extremely unlikely, and used independent expert voices to express this. How is this 'slanted'? Please find an example of the 'we're doomed' agenda. I can't find it anywhere except your favoured Daily Mail.

 

Just my opinion, but some of the best reporting on the tragedy was done tonight by C4 News, and by Alex Thompson and John Snow in particular. Both eschewed the annoying 'I've been there and now I'll tell you about it live' approach. Their reports were considered, beautifully written and moving.

 

As have been MSNBC FWIW, but Euronews out of Germany.... Oh look a big anti Nuclear protest today quelle surprise

 

Like I said we are watching different coverage I have no idea who Alex Thompson is as we don't have access to UK terrestial news. As for the Beeb - well there have been some right idiots on World Service but again I guess that unless they have cut them into the News 24 channel you haven't had to cope with that.

 

I was commenting on the sheer NUMBERS of media trying to get up that road and needing B&B and supplies versus the relatives of some 1million plus people all also trying to make the trip to search for friends and family 50 countries x Z Journos + Support staff Camera crews make up artists (for Anna Botting's Lip Gloss) on a (as Sky told us) single lane road that should be kept clear for the relief workers and emergency rations - oh well forget it I'll chalk it down to a failure of your imagination to see any irony.

 

You win, you are so wise

[dubai_phil]

Just been watching this and shouting at the screen: MOVE! http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12735023

 

The bit after 1 minute there are people down the hill on the LHS watching as if it's just a high tide and making no attempt to make sure they're as high as possible. I can't make out their behaviour; it's frightening.

 

Saw that - it looked at the end as if they were trying to pull somebody out of a building that had washed up there but the "Breaking news explosion in reactor" banner hid the image, But yes we also asked the WTF question (and others kept coming forward as if they were taking photos or something)

[Verbal]

As have been MSNBC FWIW, but Euronews out of Germany.... Oh look a big anti Nuclear protest today quelle surprise

 

Like I said we are watching different coverage I have no idea who Alex Thompson is as we don't have access to UK terrestial news. As for the Beeb - well there have been some right idiots on World Service but again I guess that unless they have cut them into the News 24 channel you haven't had to cope with that.

 

I was commenting on the sheer NUMBERS of media trying to get up that road and needing B&B and supplies versus the relatives of some 1million plus people all also trying to make the trip to search for friends and family 50 countries x Z Journos + Support staff Camera crews make up artists (for Anna Botting's Lip Gloss) on a (as Sky told us) single lane road that should be kept clear for the relief workers and emergency rations - oh well forget it I'll chalk it down to a failure of your imagination to see any irony.

 

You win, you are so wise

 

It's not that I'm being 'wise' - I'm just trying to make sense of your ever so slightly stream-of-consciousness diatribe. Merely repeating your peeve about 'lip gloss' and make-up artists is supposed to be evidence that news crews are clogging up the roads and getting in the way of rescuers? Who are these 'right idiots' on the World Service?

 

Honestly, it seems to me that you have taken the canvas of a huge tragedy and decided to paint your own face all over it. Beyond your piffling and imagined slights on you as a viewer, there really is a much bigger story here.

[Deppo]

Good to see this thread descend into arguing.

 

 

 

And that is a sarcastic remark - infract that.

[Tokyo-Saint]

Over hyping or not, I can confirm that Tokyo has very limited lighting, water and the shops are empty.

 

That video goes to show that unless you live next to a massive hill, there was absolutely nothing you could do. Until I saw that I though you would be ok in the upper floors of a large/tall building. Shows what my earthquake training taught me, nothing. My mrs has been obviously shocked over the last few days but I'm glad to say all her family and friends are fine.

[suewhistle]

Deppo, you were out of order there this time, and I think you know it.

[Tokyo-Saint]

Thanks sue and Phil, good to know I'm not over reacting.

 

When you see places and things you recognise being absolutely destroyed, it's much more 'real' to you than other news. As I was typing the message my fiancé was watching the news with a tear in her eye. If I ever meet you depo you will regret it.