In Congo, 1,000 die per day: Why isn't it a media story?

[OneBlueSky]

http://search.csmonitor.com/search_content/0614/p09s02-coop.html

BRUSSELS – It's a maxim that what people aren't talking about is always a favorite topic of conversation. But it will make your head spin when applied to the media and the most deadly conflict in the world today. Western media generally do not cover the ongoing war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, but a media story is currently developing around the Congo - focusing, paradoxically, on how the conflict is not a media story.

I've lost count of how many journalists in the recent weeks have asked me, "Why aren't the media covering the Congo?"

With an estimated 1,000 people dying there every day as a result of hunger and disease caused by war, it is an appropriate question. But the extent of this coverage of noncoverage is reaching the absurd: print, radio, TV, Internet - they all want to know why they themselves are not writing articles and broadcasting programs about the Congo.

And it is not just me noticing this. In March, Reuters even held a seminar on "forgotten crises," at which the Congo topped the list, and on BBC World Service the other day, I heard a newscaster ask: "Shouldn't this be getting more attention?"

- more . . .

http://search.csmonitor.com/search_content/0614/p09s02-coop.html

[Zerex71]

1. Because there's no oil! :)

It's pretty much as simple as that. Just like the way the Uzbek crisis is being ignored, and the Darfur crisis is being ignored, on top of the fact that our MSM is largely lily-white and we live in one of the most racist societies in the world.

[Jara sang]

2. Three words

No Strategic Resources

[thinkingwoman]

3. no oil, and

no white people.

Next question?

[Warpy]

4. They're the wrong color

They're black. Black folks dying in a holocaust of war and disease don't count. Black women disappearing from their homes and families, only to be discovered three weeks later in a landfill, are not newsworthy.

I thought y'all had figured that out by now. Only blonde princesses from upper class suburbia are worthy of worry when they vanish; only washed up sports or media stars susapected of crimes are worthy of 24/7 coverage.

The best coverage of the ongoing war in the Congo was fictional, several episodes of ER. It's incredibly sad when news is devoted to fluff and the best information we get about what's going on in the world is from an evening soap opera.

[jojo54]

6. Pretty powerful stuff, Warpy

But it's the truth. I remember seeing a movie back in the 70's or 80's called Meteor with Sean Connery and Natalie Wood (?). Anyway, there was a scene in a bar with the TV on. The newscaster made a comment something like this "Why is it that we have to depend on the BBC to get our information?"

It's a damn shame that we can't even find out what's going on in our own country until we log onto DU.

[leveymg]

5. How's the search going for that missing American blonde chick? n/t

[Jamison]

7. People are too concerned with Michael Jackson

and other BS to notice that there's serious suffering going on in other places in the world.

[LynneSin]

8. Because they aren't cute blondes missing or fading pop-star pediophiles

get with the program

:sarcasm:

[seemslikeadream]

9. World ignores Republic of Congo's crisis

World ignores Republic of Congo's crisis - U.N.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1417281
Poll: Congo War Is World's Top 'Forgotten' Crisis
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1299318
UN: Congo crisis worse than Darfur
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=1320665
Congo Signs $332 Million Mineral Deal
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=442682

[dr.zoidberg]

10. Because it's not happening in this country.

The media here don't care about because it's not "sexy". Apparently, determining whether or not Michael Jackson molested some kids is more important than international news. Now, if any of the cable networks had an international news program, then it would probably get some play.

[zalinda]

11. I think it's because, it's no big deal

If this type of conflict was happening in Australia or any other country that has been peaceful for so many years, then it would be news. It's like the couple down the street that is always arguing, after awhile, you just ignore them. But, these areas have been in conflict for years, so what do you do? Write Democratic Republic of the Congo is again top area for waring factions, up from 3rd place last year?

I know that it's a bad situation, but what do we do? We are struggling for power in this country. Nothing will happen unless we get our respect back from the rest of the world. And, then, all of the countries have to get together and decide that they will not stand for this violence.

I'm sorry for these people, and I would love to see violence end on this planet for good. But, there is nothing I can do about it. I have enough to do just trying to keep a roof over my head and trying to keep my body functioning some what normally. Add to that, we need to change the administration in THIS country, and if we don't, there is no way that we would ever be able to help these countries steeped in violence.

zalinda