Local
(but UK national) paper – The Guardian (6th Feb)
"Female genital
mutilation: pressure on Gove to inform teachers of practice"
Department for Education
urged by petitioners to write to teachers and tell them to inform children and
parents about FGM
This belongs on the front page and grabbed
my attention because:
· - The title is shocking;
· - It’s on the left hand side of
the page, which I believe people read first;
· - It shows a picture of a young
Muslim girl, which could suggest religious discrimination.
It is trying to reach as many people as
possible, and even features further down the page (towards the centre) where it further explains it.
This is obviously biased because the article mentions The Guardian’s support for this campaign (they have bolded “More on the Guardian’s FGM campaign”), drawing attention to their own campaign, rather than breaking news.
This is obviously biased because the article mentions The Guardian’s support for this campaign (they have bolded “More on the Guardian’s FGM campaign”), drawing attention to their own campaign, rather than breaking news.
"Journey to the heart of the
house price bubble"
This belongs on the front page and grabbed
my attention because:
· - As a young professional I’m
interested in property;
· - It is entitled “special
report;”
· - It has a colored border and
image.
A huge percentage of the population was
affected by the property market during the credit crunch and is now doing what
they can to invest. Also, it’s a feature
story that fits perfectly with the talk of “help to buy” schemes currently
being promoted by the government, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, George
Osborne, recently stating that the house price boom is to last 10 years.
The article’s focus on those who despair
with rising costs of housing and mention that buyers are predominantly white,
middle-class young professionals, leads me to believe the article is biased, in
keeping with the paper’s political “left” persuasion. It reinforces this by
profiling a few potential buyers that fit the stereotype and comments on the
frenzy of the open house, almost ridiculous bubble that Hackney has become, and
the fact that the property sold for well over the asking price. As the reader,
you want to hate it.
"Russell Brand: Philip
Seymour Hoffman is another victim of extremely stupid drug laws"
This belongs on the front page and grabbed my attention because:
· - It’s hugely topical, discussing the death of a popular actor;
· - It is written by a famous, popular and often controversial
celebrity, Russell Brand.
This is obviously biased because it has opinion stated clearly
in the title: “extremely stupid drug laws.” It’s also written by someone most
people know used to be a drug addict and will be speaking from experience, with
a strong point of view running throughout.
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ReplyDeleteBTW, this is a perfect example of cultures in conflict and how The Guardian reported on it. Another example is the practice of husbands married to multiple wives and immigration to a country where such a practice is prohibited by law.
ReplyDeleteFGM is primarily practiced among those who are Muslim. [I rewrote this post as I wanted to note, FGM is not required by the Muslim faith as part of the faith, generally speaking, although there are many sects who still believe FGM is necessary to be a Muslim woman.] Referrals for FGM in Minnesota were not uncommon as Minnesota has the largest population of Somali Muslims in the United States. It was believed cow dung should be placed on the open wound to accelerate healing in parts of Africa. Many young girls died due to infection and other complications in their respective countries. The Guardian did not distort the problem in England. Wikipedia cites coptic Christians and a couple of other groups. In all the years I worked at Hennepin County [about 20] not one non-Muslim family came to intake for FGM.
ReplyDelete