Bias in the international media

I was watching the international TV news the other day when I realised something huge was missing: there was no mention of the Eastern half of the world, home of 60 per cent of the world's population.

A Malaysian friend watching with me agreed this was odd, and added that she'd been at a meeting of members of The Meeja, a shadowy international group of data-dealers whose mission is to shine the Bright Light of Truth and Justice into dark areas, preferably if celebrity cleavage is located therein.

At the time, a rainstorm had caused an ancient tower in China to tilt perilously over a school.

Discussion: Should the story be covered?

Naah, it's in Asia, they decided. "And it lacked a cleavage angle," she said.

Meeja professionals instead printed a news-in-brief paragraph and a tiny picture of the Leaning Tower of Pisa, thus leaving lots of room for really important items such as: "[Celebrity Name] Stuns Beachgoers by Regaining Pre-Baby Bikini Bod," a dramatic follow-up to the previous week's mega-scoop, which was "[Celebrity Name] Stuns Beachgoers By Failing to Regain Pre-Baby Bikini Bod."

Meanwhile at the wobbly tower, Chinese officials snapped into action to issue an announcement saying (this is not a joke) no immediate action could be taken to stabilise it because "several departments are involved."

This is official-speak for: "It's not my job to catch falling buildings."

The following day, I heard music fans arguing over who was the industry's top producer. I suggested, Johnny Kitagawa, producer of Japanese band Kis-My-Ft2.

They looked blank.
I showed them the Guinness Book of Records listing of Mr Kitagawa as the man responsible for 232 number one singles, some of which were almost, but not quite, listenable to by humans with functioning aural cavities.

For more, you may visit: www.mrjam.org