A country in chaos, or so it seems !, How the media can guide our outlook. Options

[Goosefly]

http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/.../0,,2-7,00.html

See the stories........ all about death, corruption, murder etc.

This is the link to a news website that covers news happenings in S.A. mainly, and I feel discusted that my country of origin is being advertised as being one that is run by anarchists. I feel that the press is relying more and more on using sensationalism to sell their stories. There hasn't been a feel-good story on that site for a long time. I know that S.A. has it's problems just like any other country but come on people, South Africans don't live in the stone-age even though they make it look that way. I am proud to be South African even though I live in Canada now, and I feel bad when people in the U.S. and Canada think of S.A. as the most dangerous Holiday destination out there.

Anyways just thought I would share my views on how the news media can corrupt and guide us into seeing only what they want us to see.

What do you think?

[Keystone Two-Eight]

I feel bad when people in the U.S. and Canada think of S.A. as the most dangerous Holiday destination out there.

Funny I always thought of New Jersey as the most dangerous vacation spot out there...

[UNDEAD 1]

i agree ,a good friend of mine is from an island off the coast of africa , cape verde , hes always talking about how wonderful ,clean ,fun and beutiful eevrything is and meanwhile im thinking of the movie blood diamond or hotel rawanda .its not good to watch the news ...at all ! they feed of the misfortunes of others to make money and only spreads negativety .

This post has been edited by UNDEAD 1: 06/24/07 10:01am

[Bargod]

The news is based on grabbing your attention, not on the real TRUTH. It's based on "truth" or as Steven Colbert says "truthiness".

I clicked on that link and thought "holy crap, what a horrible place". As if it was one small little area where only bad things happen. Well, I know several people from SA and they are all great folks. And I would like to appologize for the very ignorant waitress I worked with who said "This guy says he's from South Africa, but he sounds English and he's white. Like there are white people from Africa".

Yes, I had to educate a fellow (adult) employee on this matter. The American school system is pretty good on math and science, but they don't care about anyone learning about other countries.
The best part of this was that we had a South African (white) hostess working on that exact shift. She just ignored the idiot... good for her.

[Kleerance]

http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/.../0,,2-7,00.html



Anyways just thought I would share my views on how the news media can corrupt and guide us into seeing only what they want us to see.

What do you think?

Based on U.N, South Africa is one of the riskier places in the modern world...

http://english.people.com.cn/200211/18/eng...18_106971.shtml



Too bad though, I've heard that it is a beautiful country, especially the beaches.

[Cpt. Snot Rocket]

No offense Goosefly but I know a few people from S.A. Yes, some places are better than others but the stories these guys tell about bars on every window of your home, scouting for thugs before exiting your vehicle and entering your apartment, is all too real for me. One gentlemen told me he visited famaily last year and explained that he would never go back again. Life in the US is so much better, he explained.

What can one expect from a country with 50% to 60% unemployment and with native tribesmen who kidnap white baby girls to rape them in order to rid themselves of AIDS.

Don't get me wrong, I hope and pray that S.A can pull themselves out of this and become a much better place. However, the problems are massive. But, meanwhile, I am not going to plan on vacationing there.

This post has been edited by Cpt. Snot Rocket: 06/24/07 10:57am