India's Political Downfall

Mark Magnier, of the Los Angeles Times, recently wrote an article reporting how public anger over the response of the Prime Minister's government and security forces to last week's assault on Mumbai. Throughout the entire two-page article, Magnier described how many people questioned whether the government's promise of reform would lead to serious changes whose problems were exposed due to the assault. All of Magnier's references were faced towards a negative outlook on the Indian government. No where did he comment on the positives of the government. As a reporter, one should tell about both sides to a story and not just one. Now because of this article, everyone around the world who knows nothing about Indian government will think the people and government are hostile and cannot function after reading this article.

Magnier reported that three of its top anti-terrorism officials almost immediately after the assault and how it took hours for officials to make decisions. I agree that this is a terrible tragedy and the fact that the government did not send help to people until hours after is atrocious. However, that does not give the reporter reason to simply not state the positives about the government. Also, still days later, militants are fighting commandos in Mumbai. The government's response is inadequate. Reporters should tell both sides of stories and let the reader decide which to believe.

Britney Spears: Lost Cause or Improving?

E! Entertainment news recently did a story about the ups and downs of Britney Spears' life. Personally I couldn't care less what any star does on their spare time, however, Britney has taken her personal life to the next level. She should not be allowed to drive, own anything, take care of children, or even breathe. Soooo, E! news described how Britney started out a one of the youngest female pop-stars of the 90s and degraded her way to sheer nothingness. Britney has appeared in public showing her private area, holding a 7 month-old baby infront of her while driving, and other numerous incompetent occurrences.

Although E! described Spears as a "wild child party girl", however, stated how she is attempting to turn her life around and someday wants to get married again. Britney stated "...I would like to be married and have a father figure for my kids, someone who is a provider and can be really stable." Of course she needs someone like that because she can't do that herself. Britney should be allowed on the same continent as her children. Anyway, E! commented about both opinions on Britney and stated both her negative and positive incidents. It is good that they stated both views instead of just one.

News media needs to keep true and not report false information or opinions.

Plaxico in jail?

On Friday November 28, New York Giants' wide receiver Plaxico Burress shot himself in the thigh while at a club. He was admitted to a hospital and cleared the day after. Burress was not scheduled to play on Sunday, however, this incident did not bode well for the entire Giants organization. An article written by a CNN author described the whole situation and informed us that Plaxico will be turning himself in to police on Monday. The Giants head coach, Tom Coughlin, commented on the subject but was not specific. He made no harsh references towards Burress.

No where in the article did the author degrade or make opinionated statements. The author told the story of exactly what happened and what may happen in the future. I think that is great how the writer did not make any personal comments because thats how news shoul dbe told around the world, without any twists or turns. When writers make twists or turns or opinionated statements then the reader is subject to that information and the story is falsely explained. How can any country trust their news media if they post opinions or false information.

Al-Qaeda attack soon?

An article in the New York Times described a video from Osama bin-Laden's top deputy who condemned President-elect Barack Obama as a "house negro" who would continue a campaign against Islam that Al Qaueda's leaders said was begun by President Bush. The top deputy, Ayman al-Zawahri, made numerous references to Malcolm X and how Mr. Obama does not compare to "honorable black Americans" and is a hypocrite and a traitor to his country. However, later on in the article, the writer explains how this video is just a desperate attempt by Al Qaeda who suffered a defeat in the global war of ideas with Mr. Obama's election.

This may be true but why say this is a desperate attempt when it actually may not. This angle on the story is more opinionated then factual. An approach to a story like this can possibly anger Al-Qaeda and force them to make an attack on the United States. I understand that this is what the writer thinks but he must think about the wellness of this country.

I do agree with the writer that this was a poor attempt to merely poke at the United States because they are stating how Malcolm X was a good American, which obviously goes against their whole standpoint. However, to take this standpoint in a newspaper read around the world does not seem smart. Also, the writer states how the U.S. election results were a surprise to terrorists because they thought Americans would elect Senator McCain in order to leave things the same in the Middle East. Instead, Mr. Obama is going to withdraw from Iraq and focus his sole attention towards Al-Qaeda and Osama bin-Laden.