BBC vs. CNN
I don’t quite know how aware people are of the difference between American media and foreign media. One of the best mediums to view the difference is CNN vs. BBC. All you have to do is first look through BBC News and find an article concerning world politics which you find significant. Then go to CNN and search for the same story, what you will often find is that the story is either…
A) Not there.
B) Buried so deep that you had trouble finding it.
C) Lacking in crucial details.
Or.
D) Conveyed in a way that tells a different story.
What I found today may be an example of “D”. I went to BBC News and on the front page found a story called, “Annan warning on Gaza ‘disaster’”, even more interesting was the subtitle, “UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has demanded that Israel take urgent action to prevent a humanitarian disaster in the Gaza Strip.” This might not be surprising or odd to many of you but it struck me as aggressive from an American newsreaders point of view.
I am going to summarize the article while quoting and highlighting the buzz words.
The article stated that Kofi Annan was “demanding” Israel avoid humanitarian disaster by restoring supplies of food and fuel and that Israel repair a power plant they had destroyed in air attacks. Also that Israel “must” allow U.N. agencies to work in the region and saying that Mr. Annan was becoming increasingly “blunt” in his statements.
If you look at CNN you will not find any headline concerning Annan “warning” Israel, you will not find any such buzz words as demanding, must allow or blunt statements. What you will find is a article detailing the strategy and scale of the Israeli attack of Gaza with the last sentence saying the following,
“The escalating conflict prompted U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan to urge the U.N. Security Council to address the situation in Gaza.”
What a stark contrast, this sentence makes it seem as though Kofi Annan is a completely powerless puppet begging his own council to see if they have time in their busy schedule to “address” the “situation” in Gaza. What a completely fruitless statement totally devoid of detail and as a result lacking in reality. I am providing both articles for you to compare and contrast.
What a stark contrast, this sentence makes it seem as though Kofi Annan is a completely powerless puppet begging his own council to see if they have time in their busy schedule to “address” the “situation” in Gaza
Well… that’s how the majority of Americans view the UN. A lot of hot-air and a lot of politically motivated “statements” and condemnations. And no meaningful action. Mots Americans want the US to withdraw from the UN, and that’s been true fro over a decade now.
You don’t expect Americans to have much interest in what Kofi Annan says about anything, do you? Realistically? CNN put the little blurb at the bottom of the news because they know most of their readers will skip the rest as soon as they see the words “United Nations” mentioned.
By the way. BBC is pure propaganda. I’ll never forgive them for the lies they told about the US using weapons of mass destruction in Falluja. No excuse is sufficient, and no apology can undo the damage.
July 9th, 2006 at 1:24 pmI believe the BBC can appear like propoganda through the eyes of an American reader. We are shoveled so much crap through our media. They refuse to ask tough questions and speak for the people, I think the BBC is what our media would look like if more than one idea was allowed to permiate through the media.
July 9th, 2006 at 5:19 pmRegardless of what y’all think of CNN or BBC, the fact of the matter is that it’s important to read ALL of them, and formulate your own thought. I try to read CNN, BBC, Jerusalem Post and AlJazeera every day.
Do it…it’ll make you less stupid.
m a g i c m a n
July 12th, 2006 at 10:13 amhmmm lets see, jerusalem post, I wonder if there is a slant on that, hmmm. Aljazeera wow, yea I m not sure about that. yea I think I will stick to BBC and some other sorted news sources.
July 12th, 2006 at 11:44 amBBC see is truful and broadcasts a quicker response to the world, meanwhile CNN puts in a more joking format; which can really get on your nerves, as where did they get the phrase ‘From LA to Hong Kong, London Lisbon where ever your watching your CNN’, it’s just stupid. Absoulet Stupidety!
November 20th, 2007 at 2:36 pmCNN is Propoganda they show OFF!
November 20th, 2007 at 2:38 pmCNN is a copy to BBC
November 20th, 2007 at 2:39 pmBBC VS. CNN
November 20th, 2007 at 2:40 pmBBC WON IN THEEND, COME ON BRITIAN, YET AGAIN!
SEE USA BRITAIN’S BETTER!
November 20th, 2007 at 2:41 pm2ngcyniv0wdzmqmy
November 12th, 2008 at 3:47 pm