website Posted December 14, 2004 at 10:41 PM Report Share Posted December 14, 2004 at 10:41 PM The difference between the media in the US and Vietnam is interesting. Since reporters know negative news sells newspapers, typical headlines in the American and western press might carry hysterical stories like "Crime Rate Soars", "Tests Scores Down", "Prices Skyrocket", or "Economy Slows". In Vietnam, however, either nothing much bad happens or the reporting is much more subdued. Frequent headlines in the Vietnamese media might say something upbeat like "Polish Delegation Attends Vietnam Trade Meeting" or "Vietnamese Rice Exports Increase 9.8%". Perhaps they should save themselves that trouble and just write: "No Problems Here, Everything's Just Fine". Protests, crime, or corruption just aren't reported much. While the news might be a bit vague, slanted, or boring at least it sounds good. So say what you want about Communism, but sometimes it feels better to hear a positive spin on the news. Isn't it better to be a happy fool than a depressed wise man? Here are some stories from the US and Vietnam: http://www.usatoday.com/money/markets/_commodities.htm http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/23-08012004-340314.html vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn/2004-12/11/Stories/08.htm vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn/2004-12/13/Stories/03.htm ------- http://www.sunbelt-software.com/stu/viking_kittens.swf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HashiriKata Posted December 15, 2004 at 12:29 PM Report Share Posted December 15, 2004 at 12:29 PM I think both approaches are kind of extremes but we certainly can argue "for & against" until the cow come home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yan Posted December 18, 2004 at 12:05 AM Report Share Posted December 18, 2004 at 12:05 AM So say what you want about Communism, but sometimes it feels better to hear a positive spin on the news. Isn't it better to be a happy fool than a depressed wise man? I doubt many Vietnamese are foolish enough to believe what their media tell them (esp. the good news and anything including statistics) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodcutter Posted January 2, 2005 at 01:44 AM Report Share Posted January 2, 2005 at 01:44 AM Yan, that isn't the point. Western people are under the illusion that the world has suddenly become a horrible place simply because of a style of journalism, and consequently take their children to school in "safe" SUVs due to their paranoia about what can happen, never letting them walk! There is something to be said for not focusing on horrors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyberian Posted January 2, 2005 at 12:48 PM Report Share Posted January 2, 2005 at 12:48 PM Yes, we get the point, Website. China's temperature are freezing. There are no mustards and pickles in China. Chinese people live in slums. Chinese people dress up tacky. No big clothes available in China, and the socks sucks. China is stealing America's jobs. Mainlanders are peasants. Don't comb their hair. Cannot afford meat, apples, oranges, bananas, and eggs. Don't shower for 6 months. Etc, etc, etc. Vietnam's media is pure propaganda; only tells good news. Hides all bad news. Vietnamese women are difficult to bed with. We will be hearing more from you. Communism = poverty, evil, misleading Americanism = prosperity, good, justice Soon enough, you will be posting about how Cuban leader Castro's cigars is polluting the world. And making reviews of Gere's movies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yan Posted January 2, 2005 at 02:05 PM Report Share Posted January 2, 2005 at 02:05 PM woodcutter: But if american parent's didn't own SUVs or other private cars, certainly they'd be quicker to find their children 'old enough' to make it to school on their own? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amdir_Flassion Posted January 17, 2005 at 08:24 AM Report Share Posted January 17, 2005 at 08:24 AM Americanism = prosperity, good, justice Then why don't you move across the border then? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyberian Posted January 17, 2005 at 05:12 PM Report Share Posted January 17, 2005 at 05:12 PM Then why don't you move across the border then? Someone please explain to him the purpose for my reply to Website; I don't think he gets it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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