Losing An Understanding of the International World
How much do we really know about the world that lives outside of our nation?
I like this quick presentation by Alisa Miller, who serves as the head of Public Radio International. In the video clip below, she speaks to why Americans know less than we used to about the international community. Miller comes off a little snotty and I don’t care for her inclusion of the IPCC, but the video remains an eye opener. Here it is:
If you found that to be worth your time, and have lots more available to spend on a similar topic, the Frontline episode ‘News War’ is an absolute must-watch. You can view the entire program here. If you don’t want to give away 270 minutes of your life to the whole thing, click on the ‘Part Three’ tab and watch parts sixteen through eighteen about the changing definition and function of news.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008 at 7:04 am
Unfortunately, if one is really interested in whats going on in the rest of the world, one has to use alternative routes to it — mostly via the international/national sites of other countries. When I have traveled overseas/out of the US I have noticed how much content the news has in other countries. They focus as much on other countries as they do on local/national issues (I think even most local newshows in any given US market fail to cover their own local/statewide issues with much detail — do you have a good idea of what your own state government is up to?)
So, as always, its up to the individual to chase the story/information. Relying on profit driven news organizations will get you very little of value in any case. It would benefit all of us if American news organizations would revert back to the days when the news department wasn’t used as a profit center…but that day is likely done forever in our country.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008 at 9:30 pm
Stop with your smarts and your traveling and also stop becoming even smarter from traveling.
-ian