Vietnam vs. American News

[website]

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

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[HashiriKata]

I think both approaches are kind of extremes but we certainly can argue "for & against" until the cow come home.

[yan]

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)

[woodcutter]

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.

[Cyberian]

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.

[yan]

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?

[Amdir_Flassion]

Americanism = prosperity, good, justice

Then why don't you move across the border then?

[Cyberian]

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.