Between the Lines
When you read the news, a magazine, watch TV, listen to the radio or read or catch advertisements............... read between the lines!Activity 1
Read this item of news about Schapelle Corby, the Australin convicted to 20 years jail in Indonesia for drug trafficking.
DAILY TELEGRAPH
28 May 2005
Nation's FuryNation's FuryThis terrorist planned the murder of 88 Australians and got 2 years. Yesterday Schapelle Corby got 20. In a double standard that has outraged the Australian nation...Corby received ten times the sentence given to accused Bali terror mastermind Abu Bakir Bashir.- The Daily Telegraph, 28 May 2005.
- How do you feel about Schapelle's conviction after reading this?
- Do you feel it's OK for her to get 20 years jail?
- Do you feel Abu Bakir Bashir got a light sentence?
- Do you feel it's fair to give a young girl 20 years for smuggling some dope ?
- Do you think it's fair to give 2 years to someone who organised the Bali Bombing, where 88 Australians got killed?
- What do you really think about this issue after reading this?
MEDIA WATCH
First screened 30 May 2005 Presented by Liz Jackson
On ABC TV Mondays 9.15pm; Wednesdays 11.50pm On ABC2: Wed. 7:45pm, 10:00pm, 1:10am; Thu. 7:40pm, 9:55pm
It was the Telegraph's spin on the verdict itself, that was truly a disgrace.But there's a crucial difference here: it's the word 'accused'. Abu Bakar Bashir has not been convicted of masterminding the Bail bombing. Accused, yes, guilty maybe, but not convicted in a court.The three Indonesians who have been convicted are on death row - they face the firing squad. Nowhere does the Telegraph tell its readers this.We agree with the Telegraph that Schapelle's sentence is 'an abomination'. Twenty years is far too long but Schapelle has not been victimised. It's a standard sentence for drug trafficking in Indonesia.The Telegraph's misleading comparison with Abu Bakar Bashir is the kind of coverage that has characterised this case.Who can be surprised that some Australians are reportedly withdrawing their donations to the tsunami victims?The media who fed this undercurrent of xenophobia should hang their heads in shame.Until next week, good night.
________________________
Answer this questions:
- What is the difference between "accused" and "convicted"?
- Is it important to understand and be aware of this difference? Why?
- Was the Telegraph version of the news honest?
- Did they include all the facts?
- What didn't they tell us?
- How do you feel about the whole story now?
Assessment: Upload your answers and write a letter to the editor expressing your view.
posted by rosa ochoa @ 4:10 AM
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