Media coverage of climate-related disasters

[Shaun]

I posted this earlier on my Tumblr today:

interesting how OTT tumblr is going over Queensland

I’d make a point about floods in Pakistan (which were far more devastating than the Haiti earthquake) getting so little attention on here but then:

a) I guess tumblr users in Pakistan are not so common

b) it was (only just) before I joined

but the pessimist in me worries that this just gets more attention because it’s the western world and (sadly) more relatable. Like you’d expect the third world to suffer but once some middle class people die it’s like OMFG APOCALYPSE.

(incidentally I mean no disrespect to the victims of the Australian floods - just want a little consistency)

edit: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-12171710

see what I mean? This is the 7th story on BBC News’ website, despite having 8 times the deathtoll of the top story.

Basically the debate I'm trying to instigate is: does the media (global media, that is) give extra attention to disasters in the Western world? And is that wrong?

[Smithy]

I don't think it does really, I can see what you mean with them focusing on Australia, but if you look at past incidents like the Boxing Day Tsunami and the Haiti earthquake (although they were enormous in comparison) they still received tonnes of press coverage.

I think it's because it's a freak occurrence that's happening in Australia atm, whereas elsewhere such as the Pakistan floods, it was the monsoon season.

[lostalex]

Well i can't speak for the whole world, b ut as an American, i certain have no faith in the Pakistani's to use it for relief for the flood victims. They
'd prolly just use it to build up their army on the kashmir border. also even if they did, how many of those flood victims could be taliban or other terrorists?. Why should we pay to keep a terrorists alive?

No one trusts Pakistan. Talk to India, they'll tell you.

[Smithy]

Well i can't speak for the whole world, b ut as an American, i certain have no faith in the Pakistani's to use it for relief for the flood victims. They
'd prolly just use it to build up their army on the kashmir border. also even if they did, how many of those flood victims could be taliban or other terrorists?. Why should we pay to keep a terrorists alive?

No one trusts Pakistan. Talk to India, they'll tell you.

:|

[Shaun]

Well ignoring the reliability of Pakistan's reactions, I'd draw your attention to the second example I put in the post - where 80 Brazilians have died today. Are they going to be pushed to the side because dem governmenzz dont help nobody?

If anything that's all the more reason for more coverage of these 2 cases: political injustice as well as the immediate damage and casualties.

[lostalex]

Persoanlly i'd like to see My country (USA) give as much aid to Australia for these flood as we have to haiti or chile or pakistan.

Australia has been a true ally to the US since ww2.
How ever much we gave to Haiti we should give twice as much to Australia. IMHO.

Of course that won't happen though, Because the US takes it's allies for granted, and only gives aid to it's enemies hoping to sweeten them up. Pisses me off.

[Vicky.]

Persoanlly i'd like to see My country (USA) give as much aid to Australia for these flood as we have to haiti or chile or pakistan.

Really? You didnt mention :o

[lostalex]

Really? You didnt mention :o

Just making sure i won't be mistaken for a Canadian. ;)

[Benjamin]

Well i can't speak for the whole world, b ut as an American, i certain have no faith in the Pakistani's to use it for relief for the flood victims. They
'd prolly just use it to build up their army on the kashmir border. also even if they did, how many of those flood victims could be taliban or other terrorists?. Why should we pay to keep a terrorists alive?

No one trusts Pakistan. Talk to India, they'll tell you.

Oh dear lord. :bored:

I like 95% of Americans; I see you happen to fall into that 5% that I fear are somewhat misinformed about the world.

People could say that about USA if a disaster hit most of you guys; 'Why should we pay money to save those stupid Americans', when most of us know not all of your nationality are stupid.

Why should we pay to keep stupid people alive?

(Just as an example, like I said i have no issue with Americans)


Anyways back to topic: The media seem to focus on stuff that they feel we'll care about and will sell, making them more money. I guess in relation to Oz it's because there are a lot of British citizens out there and its old ties to UK.

[lostalex]

Oh dear lord. :bored:

I like 95% of Americans; I see you happen to fall into that 5% that I fear are somewhat misinformed about the world.

People could say that about USA if a disaster hit most of you guys; 'Why should we pay money to save those stupid Americans', when most of us know not all of your nationality are stupid.

Why should we pay to keep stupid people alive?


See that's the brilliant thing about America though, it's really doesn't matter what ANYONE thinks about us. :)

It's quite literally inconsequential.

[Smithy]

Oh dear lord. :bored:

I like 95% of Americans; I see you happen to fall into that 5% that I fear are somewhat misinformed about the world.

People could say that about USA if a disaster hit most of you guys; 'Why should we pay money to save those stupid Americans', when most of us know not all of your nationality are stupid.

Why should we pay to keep stupid people alive?

ikr, it's obviously this bitch that's behind 9/11

[Benjamin]

See that's the brilliant thing about America though, it's really doesn't matter what ANYONE thinks about us. :)

It's quite literally inconsequential.

Really? Well give it another few years when you have fallen behind other countries in terms of 'power and wealth'. It'll happen, it always does, that is history and life.

[lostalex]

Really? Well give it another few years when you have fallen behind other countries in terms of 'power and wealth'. It'll happen, it always does, that is history and life.

which countries? Europe is even more of an economic mess than the US... China will keep getting richer, but eventually all those chinese workers making 1 dollar a day, will start asking where all the money is going, and demand real representation in government.

Tell me which country is anywhere near taking over America's place?

[Benjamin]

which countries? Europe is even more of an economic mess than the US... China will keep getting richer, but eventually all those chinese workers making 1 dollar a day, will start asking where all the money is going, and demand real representation in government.

Tell me which country is anywhere near taking over America's place?

You forget that it doesn't just have to be one country. Certain countries may join forces. Stop being so fickle and look back through history. Every country that 'ruled' the world falls at some point, it'll happen to USA and I believe it will be quicker than anyone will realise.


And China may not look like it may have the power but they probably have more allies than the USA.

[Fetch The Bolt Cutters]

Well i can't speak for the whole world, b ut as an American, i certain have no faith in the Pakistani's to use it for relief for the flood victims. They
'd prolly just use it to build up their army on the kashmir border. also even if they did, how many of those flood victims could be taliban or other terrorists?. Why should we pay to keep a terrorists alive?

No one trusts Pakistan. Talk to India, they'll tell you.

gurl wtf is goin on in your sig D:

[lostalex]

You forget that it doesn't just have to be one country. Certain countries may join forces. Stop being so fickle and look back through history. Every country that 'ruled' the world falls at some point, it'll happen to USA and I believe it will be quicker than anyone will realise.


And China may not look like it may have the power but they probably have more allies than the USA.

what allies? lol, certainly not in asia. All of the other countries in asia are scared to death of China, and invite the US to have more presence there.

Who are china's allies?? third world countries in africa and south america?

Even Russia chooses America over China.

WHo are China's allies against America???

[lostalex]

gurl wtf is goin on in your sig D:

Yur boyfriend ripped my face open with his massive *******.