The Olympic torch disruption has thrown up several obstacles to China. Paris, London and other cities where the torch is due to be relayed are facing massive protests and promises of disruption. While the Chinese are worried about the present and the future, everybody's wondering whats next.
However, ordinary people as well as journalists have overlooked certain basic facts. The tendency to paint everything black and white, overlooking the other side, have become predominant of media coverage of certain issues. The background is also interesting. If the Olympics were not held, then these protests would be dismissed as mere disturbances. Instead, the occasion of the Olympic torch relay has given protesters their 15 seconds of fame.
The media, especially the Chinese print media, have written columns, which bear resemblance to Joseph Goebbels propaganda speeches. This has shown the problem with authoritarian one party states, as well as the factor of world apathy. The Chinese government can now do it freely, because of their economic clout. It is mainly due to economics, and the timidity of other nations, that these actions can be done. All these efforts will not hinder the Olympics being held spectacularly.
China has done a lot of this, and it has gotten away with it. The fact is China is economically interconnected with the world and other nations have huge economic interest and investments. This means that any nation will think twice about speaking out against China. This was witnessed in Myanmar, where no nation spoke out, and the same will happen for Tibet.
If a person watches Chinese media, then it is here that they enter the gray zone. It is from this point that the lines of right and wrong blur. It is from here that the situation assumes vagueness rather than concreteness. The media, and primarily, the people of the world, are responsible for whats happening in Tibet.
This does not mean that China is right. It is once again using its muscle power brutally. But, the world is guilty because its policies are dictated by economics, not by human suffering. The media is also guilty, because it allows Parachute Journalism to be practiced. This practice is the main reason why the world does not care. People's apathy in the globe has changed the media for the worse.
They will be even guiltier, because once the Olympics are done, Tibet will be forgotten. This situation is like a gigantic tidal wave. The protests are the build up to the wave, a volatile situation which could erupt in the coming months is the peak and it will all be forgotten by the time the Olympics are done and dusted.
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several thoughts, Sid,
1st, you write in english so well. Language is truly a regretful barrier for prople who have to present their profound thoughts with a second language.
2nd, most international journalists covering the Tibet riot are acctually living in china working for the china bureaus of their respective news organizations. They are not the parachuting journalists at all. But living in one country does not necessarily mean you really understand the complex of the country's historic, economic, cultural and social issues.
3rd, well, your post has already exposed your preconceived notions and assumptions on Tibet. Till now, i do feel we are far from being close to the truth by just reading certain number of news stories written by journalist who were not there in Tibet. or, as we discussed in class, i am wondering whether there is any big difference even if everybody was allowed to report there. It is such a complicated issue that i do think we should dig and learn more before rushing to the conclusion or judgement like "people are suffering there".
Anyway, this is just my own thoughts. but your post reinforces my pessimistic view on the possibility of being a professional international journalists without having any bias. maybe, i suddenly have the idea that this view can be one of the options for your MA dissertations, what do you think?
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