I don’t really talk about international issues much, but if you have a few bucks you can spare, then right now is an essential time to donate to help vicitms of the Pakistan earthquake. Media Girl is on the case.
In her comments, Media Girl asks why the US media is so completely off the case:
BBC World covers the tragedy every single night. US media does not. Why?
Disaster burnout? Too many US disasters?
My feeling is that it’s a combination of two things, primarily: Islamophobia, thanks to our president’s pandering to the worst impulses of xenophobia, and a feeling of powerlessness that has grown since the utter failure of our government in the aftermath of Katrina.
Or maybe it’s simply that the conglomerates that own the mainstream media don’t see any profit opportunity in Pakistan, and don’t want people sending more money overseas.
Maybe I’m too cynical. But look at the scale of this disaster, and look at the virtual non-existence of the coverage, and tell me it’s just that it slipped the news editors’ minds.
U.S. establishment media isn’t even covering U.S. disasters anymore. Check out The NewStandard for coverage of people fighting to rebuild their lives in New Orleans, over the government’s passive or active opposition. (The NewStandard is trying to grow from 500 (now 600) members to 1,000 to keep publishing next year. Any help would be greatly appreciated by supporters like myself: see their request and sign up here.)