SOLOMON: A Chinese Spy Plane on Long Island?
[author:gary Public time:Sep 9, 2007] |
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It's not easy to look at ourselves as others might see us. For a country, the need is especially acute in times of international crisis -- but that's when nationalism and other reflexive biases are most likely to become pivotal.
One of the ways to test for media slant is to put the shoe on the other foot. A big story this month provides an opportunity for inquiry in the world of intense media spin.
Here are some excerpts from actual U.S. news coverage, with only one type of change -- I've reversed the references to China and the United States. The mirror-image narrative is worth pondering.
ABC World News Tonight: "There are concerns about national security and a Chinese military flight crew that was forced to make an emergency landing during a surveillance flight along the East Coast of the United States. The Chinese spy plane was equipped with sophisticated intelligence-gathering technology."
CNN: "Chinese military officials say that they are, first and foremost, concerned about the safety of the crew. They want that crew returned back to China."
CBS News: "China's military agency insists this plane was 40 to 50 miles off the coast of New Jersey, and if that's true, then the Americans are to blame. But if the Americans say, 'No, that plane violated our air space,' or, 'Sorry, we have to hold the crew and the plane while we investigate this incident,' well, then this could get ugly."
Norman Solomon's latest book is "The Habits of Highly Deceptive Media." His weekly syndicated column focuses on media and politics. More about chinese military spy plane, visit http://www.airforceworld.com
Printed From:http://www.free-press-release.com/news/200709/1189350901.html
Source:Free Press Release
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