News the European Way

I've just returned from a family vacation to Europe and, while I did not spend a great deal of time staring at a television set, I did come away with one strong impression from the few times I did tune in. We in the U.S. are indeed woefully ignorant about the rest of the world. Whether watching CNN International or a Dutch or French channel where I picked up only the occasional word, I was struck by how comprehensive the news was from a global perspective. Nowhere did I see anything that looked like a Laci Peterson or a Tom Cruise or a Michael Jackson (I think I'd remember that). Instead, there were stories about the Middle East, about the Iraqi people (as opposed to just the Iraqi story from the American perspective) and even stories about South America. In short, these were stories that were chosen not because they were glamorous, or visual or titillating, but because they were IMPORTANT as a way of understanding the world.

Imagine that. Maybe if we had more news here produced from a standpoint of what is important to understand and less because it is sensational, we would be able to tell more complete (dare we say fair and balanced?) stories. But we have to deal in the real world, and that means no one can afford not to understand the media and how it operates.

Do you have an opinion about the news media or the views presented above? Please post your comments for all to see!