So who else thinks that if 200+ white schoolgirls had been kidnapped from a boarding school anywhere on the planet that the media would be making it not just a top story but the top story for weeks until their whereabouts was discovered? Especially when the kidnapping was done by anti-Westernisation religious fanatics with a history of using those they kidnap as slaves (including sexual slavery)? So why aren’t there regular updates about the 200+ Nigerian schoolgirls kidnapped weeks ago now every single day?
I have only read about this atrocity on feminist blogs. Gee I’m so glad the elite mass media corporations gave us neverending coverage of the Royal visit downunder and the daily squirmings of politicians instead of pressing the Nigerian government for answers regarding what they are doing to find and rescue these girls and how they plan to prevent further attacks.
What news story/commentary/analysis has grabbed your attention lately?
As usual for media circus threads, please share your bouquets and brickbats for particular items in the mass media, or highlight cogent analysis or pointed twitterstorms etc in new media. Discuss any current sociopolitical issue (the theme of each edition is merely for discussion-starter purposes – all current news items are on topic!).
Categories: ethics & philosophy, media, parties and factions, religion, violence
Media Circus: ASIO chief slammed for expert advice edition 
Hoyden About Town 
The weird thing about the lack of coverage of this story is that OH MY GOD 200 SCHOOLGIRLS ARE MISSING is exactly the type of story that news sites love. Their world sections are full of crime, crimes against women, sex crimes, kidnappings. I don’t get it.
the SBS news twitter account has been posting about it regularly. which isn’t to say there shouldn’t be more coverage.
I suspect another part of the problem is the cover up by the Nigerian government which is continually minimising what happened. The parents and school staff are trying hard to get the message out but it seems they are being thwarted at every step. Doesn’t excuse the media for not working harder, though to be fair the West Australian has been reporting on it here.
This article in the New Yorker gives more information about the cover-up by the military and government with respect to Boko Haram, and points out that the girls taken included both Muslims and Christians – Boko Haram is against anyone getting an education, not just Muslims.
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Now, about the Commission of Audit report:
Terry McCrann in the Hun – RELAX. Most – almost all – of the Commission of Audit’s recommendations won’t be implemented.
Ross Gittins in the SMH – Commission of Audit: Be afraid, but only mildly so
Both McCrann and Gittins point out that the major purpose of these sorts of reports is rhetorical – 1. pointing fingers at the alleged fiscal irresponsibility of the previous Federal and current State governments; and 2. when the actual Budget arrives it won’t look nearly so bad.
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/02/nigerian-mass-abduction-chibok-boko-haram
It’s taken a long time for somebody to go there and ask what happened.
And, I think the Budget is going to look pretty bad.
This circus with the CoA report is mind-boggling. It’s directly out of ‘Animal Farm’.
If I read another opinionator saying “I don’t mind working until I’m 70″ I will damage the computer screen.
I’m wondering where Joe the plumber or the family that find it hard to live on $250k are now. They haven’t popped up in the media and surely they would have something to say about waiting until 70 for their pensions or having to pay extra to visit the doctor.