It is fashionable to blame the media for focusing too much on superficial stories – like who will be the next American Idol, and not enough on important ones – like the genocide now raging in Darfur. However, I believe such blame is misplaced. After all, if Americans (and people all over the world) showed more interest in stories of substance, the ratings-obsessed media would readily service that interest too.
This brings me to my good news story (of substance) for this week. Of course, you can be forgiven if you have no clue about it since major news outlets (in America) spent much of their air time covering the Debra Lafave (sexy-schoolteacher-affair-with-schoolboy) story, which I dutifully commented on in yesterday’s post. But, despite getting only a blip of media attention, Africa’s first elected female head of state, Liberia’s President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, sealed a triumphant first state visit to the United States – during which she delivered an historic address before a joint session of the U.S. Congress – with a private lunch with President George W. Bush on Tuesday. And, ironically, not since another African leader, South Africa’s Nelson Mandela, made a state visit, has Washington showed a head of state such hospitality, reverence and respect.
Nonetheless, Johnson-Sirleaf’s triumph was marked far more by the substantial aid she received for her country than by the accolades she received for herself. And, because no leader has ever radiated such dignity and serenity, wisdom and independence whilst pleading for her country’s dire needs, I hereby choose the state visit of Liberia’s “Iron Lady” as my good news story of the week.
NOTE: In my 14 March article below, I linked to my CNN column on the campaign by Florida politicians to bully the goverment of The Bahamas – on behalf of their Miami-based Cuban-American constituents – into abrogating its bilateral agreements with Cuba. They were attempting to coerce The Bahamas into releasing two Cuban illegal immigrants to family members in Florida, instead of returning them to Cuba as required by law (i.e. the adult version of the Elian Gonzalez saga). In that article, I delineated why Bahamian authorities should return them to Cuba. Click here to read my article on what they did.
Michelle says
Hi Anthony
I hope this comments thing is working today because I was really frustrated trying to leave a comment on that schoolteacher from yesterday. But since this is “Good (news) Friday” I’ll hold my thoughts and just say how glad I am that you are so supportive of strong and intelligent women. I like that about your writing and about you
Anonymous says
Just to add to the “Good News Friday” mood, my fever of yesterday has broken. More importantly, I share your view that if the viewing public in America actually showed more interest in worthwhile stories either within or beyond our borders, the media would be forced to air them in order to generate the ratings they crave. Media attention was also diverted yesterday to the so-called new evidence in the Holliday case in Aruba. Having Liberia’s female president visit the nation’s capital and receive first class treatment is good news indeed and worthy of more media attention.
Rage……
Jennifer says
LOL!!!
That’s really funny. I saw your comment yesterday rage. I felt like you did about that school teacher before reading Anthony’s post. My fever was broken immediately.
I agree that there aren’t enough good stories coming out. In fact, I have been hearing a lot on the news lately about why media is not covering good news out of Iraq. I think you may have started something with this Anthony. You lead and the media will follow.
This is a great tribute to president Sirleaf.
Ravic says
I see your point on the media satisfying their viewers’ news interests, but I can’t completely agree that they are not to be blamed for missing real news events. It’s the news media’s duty to report the news, regardless of ratings. If they all reported it like Jim Lehrer and left the sensational stuff for E!, I think the general public would start paying more attention to genocides as their collective awareness increased. The media is (at least partially) to blame.
Anonymous says
Great blog ALH.