On Haiti, a must-see
July 15th, 2010 § 1 Comment
On Haiti, much of the mainstream media’s coverage was permeated with parachute journalism. While images of bloody and mangled Haitians — some dead, some alive, some women, some children — were thrust in front of audiences compelling them to donate generously, context was often absent. Fortunately, Al Jazeera was one MSM outlet that provided commendable coverage and continued to do so after Haitian suffering was no longer considered newsworthy, along with the independent Democracy Now! which continues to provide exemplary reports (check out this recent DN! piece with Sean Penn).
The clip above by Sebastian Walker is the best feature report produced by Al Jazeera on Haiti so far and needs to be watched by everyone, no matter how much they think they already know. Of particular interest is Walker’s highlighting of the NGO industry which seems to be flourishing while Haitians continue to live in misery.
Al Jazeera — Fault Lines — Haiti: Six months on
Six months after the earthquake that killed up to 300,000 people, the dust is starting to settle over Port-au-Prince. As it does, the deep wounds that fracture this country are re-emerging, more gaping than even before.
One-and-a-half million people remain displaced, many living under tents and tarps. Rubble removal is slow, and rebuilding has yet to begin.
The UN and NGOs are as omnipresent as the rubble – but the chasm between Haiti’s poor majority and the foreign organisations that say they are here to help seems as wide as ever.
And while the quake may have forced the international community to realise that Haiti needs a state, Haitians are debating who is up to the task of governing.
Al Jazeera’s reporter in Port-au-Prince Sebastian Walker hosts this special edition of Fault Lines.
It is suspiscious when the UN guys are all stopping the assertations by the nitpicking on one word…every, all, etc. as if they have been told how to counter valid claims….reminds me of 3-5th graders….