Thursday, April 24, 2008

Don't be too CNN

On my way back from sapporo to KL... I have been trying to follow the news on the Beijing Olympic Torch relay wherever I go. Never thought I turned out to be such a big Olympic fan!! Well, I don't really have a choice -- it is like the next big news after the United States' presidential primaries!

As I travel to different parts of the world, I realised how media coverages are so very different in different parts of the world. Take the Iraq war for instance, CNN, FOX, BBC, NHK, Al-Jazeera and HK Phoenix had different news coverage, having CNN & FOX being so polarized towards one end and Al-Jazeera at the other. BBC is slightly better than both CNN and FOX. The same incident could be interpreted into two different situations. NHK would basically be doing similiar coverage as the United States as they share the same sources eventually. I do like HK phoenix alot as it has broader coverage, and a more objective view on international issues. I was impressed that they have their own crews on the ground doing the news coverage.

The torch relay received so much attention due to the vast coverage on the protests by the Tibet exile group that tries to sabotage it. It is amazing that everything seemed to be falling into place, first the riot then the protests, as if all these are masterminded. The news actually came out not showing the torch relay itself but the protests. I guess people are still more interested in the protests than the torch. Who cares about Olympic Games anyways.

I was in my Japanese host family house when the news about the protests was on TV every 2 hours. My host mother was pretty upset about the Chinese Government for the Tibet issues and the destroying of the residential areas to make way for the Olympic games. China to her, has a very, very negative image, to my surprise. And even the most educated person in Japan could easily share the same view. I, myself, being able to access good and bad news from all Chinese, Hongkong, Taiwan, Japanese and Western media, was worried that how badly she is influenced by the media. It seems that she only got the bad portion of the pie and never really got the other part of the story. Man, how media can actually mold ones mind in the 21st century!!

News are for you to judge and not to believe.

Sometimes, it is very hard for one to know the truth as media these days aren't so reliable. I came across this web the other day: http://www.anti-cnn.com/ and it was a site made by some Chinese netizens revealing some renowned international media actually distorting news by using old or fake photos. That actually disgusts me very much: media, being a voice of the people, has actually became so corrupted.

As the media sees a weaning in the coverage of anti-Chinese protests, there was an increase in the news of the french-boycott and pro-China rallies in the media. Not to my surprise, it only gets attention in Asian media, only very few done in BBC and none in CNN.

I also came across this really funny song done by an amateur singer, called "Don't be to CNN". It is part of the ant-CNN campaign which is gaining support from Chinese around the globe. Recently "Don't be too CNN" became a common sentence in China, especially among millions of young people.



Well, my advice would be, never trust the media. At least, don't trust just one. I think the only way to seek truth is to go through different sources, so we are never blinded by just one. :)

Okay, enough of my serious talk. Any one wants party this weekend??! :)

Back... it's great to be back again...

Wow... its been almost a month that I was on the road... traveling with my only belongings. Well, almost all :) Haven't been doing such long crazy travel, not since I started work.

I started my journey from sapporo, stop over at Sendai, and then ended up in Tokyo, venturing through places I have once called home. It was awesome meeting with mates I haven't seen for a while. The old faces brought old memories, lots to laugh about, and lots to be proud of. Of course it could be very taxing, with parties, parties and parties, and of course more parties to go to.

Tokyo changed a lot compare to when I was last here. Lots of nicer unique buildings, and lots of nicer condominiums. If it was like 10 years ago, I would never want to stay at any of the condominiums there. But now, it is a totally different story. :)
Managed to catch sakura during my way back. Did not get a lot of hanami done, but was glad that the timing was just right.

Took business class flight on United Airlines to Singapore, and had lotsa champagne on the way back. I might sound like an alcoholic, but trust me, I am not. Just happened that every time I try to clear my glass, the flight attendant just would not stop refilling. It was bad enough that I had couple of wine in the business lounge before getting on the plane. Save me from the liquors.. anyone?!! LOL

Singapore was my first stop in South East Asia. Everything smells, sounds, looks, and feels so familiar. Even the hot dirty air there just felt so good. LOL. A feel of being home, though not quite yet. Darren was kind enough to offer his apartment for my stay. I inhabited his newly renovated apartment, and nearly turned the place upside down. Had a really great time and of course, why miss the party when you are already there??!!! Went for another weekend spin, hopping from one club to the other.

Since I had a big luggage (that I haven't used for 9 years) of my only possessions, I decided to take a train instead of plane/bus back to K.L.
The train of course was late (Malaysian time - 時差無いのに?), and took me like 10 hours to get home. It just amazed me how slow a train can run. Man, never thought KTM could be so cacat. I would definitely take a plane next time. Let it be Air Asia and I won't mind.

Besides having to fill up my applications for my residency in the states, I was finally down with fever. Must be the endless parties and sleep deprivation. But I guess my body could tell, it is the best place to be sick -- home.