Hi everyone,

I just want to know why the USA media especially the television, still talks bad about South Africa.You see I'm a student in the U.S but originally I'm from Botswana (...a country which sounds like it does not exist in the ears of my U.S friends).Most of the time there is a docu on TV about S.A they talk of the bad South Africa and never the beauty.If someone is talking politics...his example would be "look at what is going on in South Africa".I think sometimes its just too much to glamourize S.A that way.It is very bothering when you meet someone on a plane and when you tell him or her that you're from Botswana and they say "where is that?".If you say a country neighbouring South Africa,they say "ahh..mmmm...Soweto?" The killing fields of S.A.People think S.A still the same because the media still brings the old news to the new.

Pen Pusher.

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yeah im with you on this one...i also always wonder the same thing..im from durban SA and im living in the USA now and also only always hear the bad about SA..its truly a beautiful country and im proud of being a south african but i just wish they would show the rest of the world some of the good too..

I took a class on Politics in the media. We talked about issues like this one a lot and we came to the conclusion that the media will show what they feel is interesting/provocative and what they think the public expects to hear.

The truth barely ever enters the equation, and I think that only a truly intelligent free thinking person can watch the news and read between the lines. You can't expect your average person to go and read up on the latest issues in South Africa on the internet or on south african newspapers (who put their own ideas into their reports anyway)so the media has a lot of power over the perception of the people.

At least we can come here and talk about the truth (as we see it anyway)

let's be honest.... who wants to hear about someone's good deeds. When there is a road accident everyone looks to see if they can get a glimps of the disaster.... it's human nature and it helps you forget your own troubles when you see those of others.

mar-T

True, but does that mean that you have to succumb to human nature? Feelings of anger are human nature too. Anger often makes someone want to hurt someone. Does that make it right? It's human nature to think dirty thoughts about an attractive person, but does that mean we should sexually assault them? No, it's just plain wrong. Part of being human is overcoming our base-instincts and become a better, productive human.

I believe in balance. Sure, bad things happen in the world, but to hear nothing BUT bad things can wear down a person's emotional state. Hearing a good balance of good versus bad can lead someone to beleive that the world is doing OK despite the disasters.

I actually do not "rubber-neck" when I see an accident on the road. that was that person's fate, not mine. I leave him/her to their fate. it's none of my business. If they were alone and no one was there to help, sure I'll stop to give help. However, other than that, I just go on with my life and I am happier as a result.

However, I cannot speak for everyone. This is just my view point. I do not condone my way of thinking because to do so would mean you would suddenly become very unpopular. You'd find your social circle dwindle down to few very close friends, who love you for you. But on the flip side, you'd be more content with life and happy.

Gaikotsu

Hi!
I think you are right,the media magnifies everything and keeps pushing violence and disaster in our faces everywhere we go,even if we dont watch TV to get away from some of it,it is still there,newspapers,mags.,radio,etc
I am really tired of people talking badly about SA,I know it has its problems but that doesnt mean the rest of the world has to feast on other peoples misery,ok if they tell you about whats happening in the world,i mean we have to know, but to make every small issue big,and to keep on telling people how bad SouthAfrica is or how bad Afganistan is or any country,cause i dont believe a country can be "bad to the bone",there are always innocent people,or people who just want to live their lives without wars and disaster,all this media just makes one think more voilence and more horrible thoughts about another country,it is really (as you say) depressing and lots of it is untrue or magnified.
i also think you are right about US wanting their country to be the best,the biggest the most perfect in the eyes of their people and i suppose lots of countries do...arrogance like this is the reason of many wars and disbeliefs..
I hope we will start accepting eachother like nabours or brothers and not magnifying fualts and making mistakes seem like the end of the world.Afterall,we do live on the same planet.
Rosie XX

Hey,

like all bad things on this planet it's all about 1 thing... $$$$$$$

The world is ruled by it and it dicatates what is shown on TV. Sure it is not good, but tell that to the billions of people that whatch it on TV. If everyone stopped whatching, then all the networks would show something else to keep the ratings up and the cash rolling from the adverts.

In fact everthing evil on this planet can be traced back to wealth and the wanting of it. This is human nature, which I mentioned above... I do not think it is good but it is the way of the world.