Asians in the News

Julian, Marco, Ronee, Jeremy

Cullen Pd. 3

What are some of your

preconceptions of Asians?
...of Middle Easterners (Turkey, Cyprus, Syria, Lebanon,
Iraq, Iran, Israel, the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, Jordan,
Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the various states and
territories of Arabia)?
...of East Asians (China, Japan, North Korea, South
Korea, Mongolia and Taiwan)?
Are they fair?
Are they grounded in reality, or stereotypes?
Were going to try to find out.

"Map of Asia." JohoMaps. johomaps.com, 2005. Web. 22

Dec. 2014.
<http://www.johomaps.com/as/asia2map.html>.

Preconceptions and the Medias Reinforcements of Them

Preconceptions:
-The Middle East is full of war and terrorism,
as the people in this region are warlike in
nature.
-China, Russia, and N. Korea are examples of
non-democratically run countries that are
detrimental for the people who live in said
countries.
-Not enough powerful countries in Asia have
democratic governments.

How the news media usually backs this up:

-News media often focuses its Middle East
reporting only on violent acts in this region.
With holy wars raging across much of this
region, tensions are higher than ever.
- When writing about these countries, news
media tends to focus on their governments
and those governments effects on the people
of each country.
-Most news coverage of non-democratic Asian
powers is focused on those countries striving
to become democratically run, as in the case
of Hong Kong.

Thesis
The news media perpetuates negative stereotypes
in the Middle East, and reporting is focused on
two extremes for the rest of Asia: either it is
biased towards governmental stories, often
influenced by American democratic ideals; or it
focuses on superficial stories. However, Asians
are as a whole underrepresented in the news.

Evident Trends
-Heavy coverage of attacks and violence in the
Middle East
-Lots of reporting on Chinas economy
-Hong Kong's protests
-Lots of superficial and unimportant news from
Thailand
-Majority of news on the Philippines is on
natural disaster news
-North Korea heavily reported on, and the recent
events with The Interview
-When Japan was reported on, the reports
mainly consisted of tell details on minor
problems Japan has.

-Many examples of clashes between extremist or

rebel groups and the government of those
countries
-Most stories focus more on US involvement in
Asia than affairs in the country itself.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2716005/CNN-sueddrunken-reporter-bit-EMT-workers-U-S-Embassy-Baghdad.html

Week 1: Nov. 23 - Nov. 30

Major headlines from Week 1 in the Middle East include:

Suicide bomber in eastern Afghanistan kills more than 40

watching a volleyball game (Washington Post)

Kabul bombing kills 2 foreign soldiers (WaPo)

Suicide bomber in Kabul targets British; 6 dead (WaPo)

Major headlines from Week 1 in East Asia include:

Hong Kong protesters denied entry into China (WaPo)

Hong Kong police, protesters clash; 86 people arrested

(WaPo)

Hong Kong police clear pro-democracy demonstrators protest

site (WaPo)

-> Effects:
These stories about the Middle East
focus exclusively on the violence in the
region. Very little reporting, if any at all,
is done on other events in the region.
This serves to continue stereotypes of
war in the region.
-> Effects:
These stories focus heavily on a nation
currently under communist control that
is striving to get more democratic
freedoms. This shows a nationalistic
view on world governments, in that the
US deeply cares for a country striving to
become a democracy, just as we are.

Week 2: Nov. 31 - Dec. 6

Major Week 2 Headlines:
Middle East Headlines-Police investigate the mysterious stabbing death of an
American teacher in an Abu Dhabi bathroom(WP)
-Lebanon arrests wife, son of IS chief Baghdadi(DM)
-Inside Kobanes last medical station(WP)
Philippines Headlines-Hundreds of thousands flee as Typhoon Hagupit nears
Philippines(WP)
Taiwan Headlines-Taiwans president to resign from party leadership(WP)

Effects and Observations:

While there is a large amount of news
coming out of the Middle East everyday,
even on subjects that are seem to be
unimportant, there is far fewer reports
coming out of Taiwan and the Philippines,
and those that do are fairly important.
http://gawker.com/american-mom-stabbed-todeath-in-abu-dhabi-mall-restroo-1665924682

Week 3: Dec. 7 - Dec. 13

Thailand Headlines
-(AP) Fraser takes 1-shot lead at Thailand Championship (Golf)
-(AP) Thailand princess relinquishes her royal title
-(AP) Hitler appears in Thai video to promote values
-[Burma] (Rick Noack) In Burma, its a crime to put headphones
on the Buddha
China Headlines
-(AP) Traffic resumes after Hong Kong clears protesters
-(AP) Hong Kong police arrest 209 protesters, demolish main
camp
-(AP) Small investors add fuel to Chinas big stock boom
-(AP) China slams Philippines over South China Sea case
Philippines Headlines
-(AP) Philippine storm weakens after leaving 21 dead
- (Cesi Cruz) The politics of the Philippines vulnerability to
natural disasters

Effects and Observations

There is a surprising amount of exclusively superficial
news reported on from Thailand. While other countries
such as China and the Philippines receive serious
coverage of important issues such as the pro
democracy protests in Hong Kong, and the state of
Chinas economy, the vast majority of stories reported
on from Thailand and the surrounding area (Burma)
were about relatively unimportant things that do have
any large national impact. The coverage of the
Philippines in this span of time was primarily devoted
to coverage of natural disasters and the implications of
them. Korea was continued to not be taken seriously in
the mass media during this week.

Korea Headlines
-Nut Rage spat latest stumble for Korean air
family

Week 4: Dec. 14 - Today

Major Week 4 Headlines:
-In Pakistan, Taliban massacre of schoolchildren fuels broad outrage
-Pakistans military kills at least 119 suspected militants
-Israel carries out air strike on Hamas site in Gaza
-Japan, US delay update to defense cooperation
-Chinas wealth finds home in Washington state
-Not as skinny as Obama, like Putin is okay. China censors schoolboys
suggestion that Xi lose weight
-How Kim Jong Un became the target of The Interview
Effects and Observations:
Middle East coverage is very focused on violence and death. Several headlines include names of terrorist organizations.
These stories help uphold the stigma of terrorism in the Middle East. Heavy coverage on economics. Superficial article
about the boy calling his president overweight shows the lack of serious reporting in parts of Asia. A surplus of stories
relating to The Interview, confirmation from government official that North Korea hacked into Sony. Upholds negative
views of North Korea in America, spreads fear of possible consequences for the movie release.

Asian Writers
Ishaan Tharoor (previously a senior editor at TIME, worked
in Hong Kong, writes for the Washington Post)
Sudarsan Raghavan (Kabul Bureau Chief, Washington Post)
Kris Cheng Lok-chit (Washington Post China reporter)
Gene Wang (general sports reporter, Washington Post)
Asian reporters generally work on stories in the World section.

"Ishaan Tharoor."
Thewashingtonpost.com. The Washington
Post, n.d. Web. 22 Dec.
2014.
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/wpapps/
imrs.php?src=http://wp-engstatic.washingtonpost.com/author_images
/
tharooris.jpeg?
ts=1402006601019&w=90&h=90>.

Discussion Questions

In a general sense, are the stereotypes of Asians presented by news

media fair?

Do the stereotypes of Asians in the news hinder our ability to see them
as equal to ourselves, and not just people on the other side of the world?

"Discussion-Group."
Peterkirby.com. Peter Kirby, 9
May 2014. Web. 22 Dec. 2014.
<http://peterkirby.com/wpcontent/uploads/2014/05/Discus
sion-Group.gif>.

From your perspective, do these stereotypes have any substantial amount

of truth to them?

Does the media create our prejudices for Asians, or simply support them? To what extent?

How has the ongoing War on Terror, the US's involvement in it, and its coverage by the
media cast a negative light upon the Middle East?

How have Cold War tensions and Americans aversion to communism affected our views
of Russia, China, and N. Korea even today?

Works Cited: Week 1

Cheng Lok-chit, Kris, and Simon Denyer. "Hong Kong Police, Protesters Clash; 86 People Arrested." The Washington Post 25 Nov. 2014, World: n. pag. The Washington Post. Web. 22 Dec.
2014. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/hong-kong-police-protesters-clash-86-people-arrested/2014/11/25/511606e6-14f4-4165-a789-f5151566bdbd_story.html>.
Cheng Lok-chit, Kris, Simon Denyer, and Daniela Deane. "Hong Kong Police Clear Pro-democracy Demonstrators Protest Site." The Washington Post 26 Nov. 2014, World: n. pag. The
Washington Post. Web. 22 Dec. 2014. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/hong-kong-police-clear-protest-site/2014/11/26/0746161a-7545-11e4-a755-e32227229e7b_story.html>.
"Discussion-Group." Peterkirby.com. Peter Kirby, 9 May 2014. Web. 22 Dec. 2014. <http://peterkirby.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Discussion-Group.gif>.
"Map of Asia." JohoMaps. johomaps.com, 2005. Web. 22 Dec. 2014. <http://www.johomaps.com/as/asia2map.html>.
Raghavan, Sudarsan. "Kabul Bombing Kills 2 Foreign Soldiers." The Washington Post 24 Nov. 2014, World: n. pag. The Washington Post. Web. 22 Dec. 2014.
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/kabul-bombing-kills-2-foreign-soldiers/2014/11/24/1a87ca4a-8c07-4fc4-9fc3-f1a37a6d8bd3_story.html>.
- - -. "Suicide Bomber in Eastern Afghanistan Kills More than 40 Watching a Volleyball Game." The Washington Post 23 Nov. 2014, World: n. pag. The Washington Post. Web. 22 Dec.
2014. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/suicide-bomber-in-eastern-afghanistan-kills-scores-watching-a-volleyball-game/2014/11/23/211a9ca8-475e-4aa0-9e150e3d697ac302_story.html>.
Raghavan, Sudarsan, and Mohammad Sharif. "Suicide Bomber in Kabul Targets British; 6 Dead." The Washington Post 27 Sept. 2014, World: n. pag. The Washington Post. Web. 22 Dec.
2014. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/suicide-bomber-targets-british-vehicle-in-afghanistan/2014/11/27/c4f77d36-7606-11e4-a755-e32227229e7b_story.html>.
Wan, William, and Kris Cheng Lok-Chit. "Hong Kong Protesters Denied Entry into China." The Washington Post 24 Nov. 2014, World: n. pag. The Washington Post. Web. 22 Dec. 2014.
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/hong-kong-protesters-denied-entry-into-china/2014/11/23/0ed9618c-70c4-11e4-a2c2-478179fd0489_story.html>.

Works Cited: Week 2

Bluestone, Gabrielle. American Mom Stabbed to Death in Abu Dhabi Mall Restroom. Gawker. Kinja, n.d. Web. 22 Dec. 2014.

<http://gawker.com/american-mom-stabbed-to-death-in-

abu-dhabi-mall-restroo-1665924682>.
Hundreds of thousands flee as Typhoon Hagupit nears Philippines. The Washington Post. The Washington Post, n.d. Web. 22 Dec. 2014.
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/hundreds-of-thousands-flee-as-typhoon-hagupit-nears-philippines/2014/12/05/f9ca9d1a-7ca8-11e4-84d4-7c896b90abdc_story.html>.
Inside Kobanes last medical station. The Washington Post: post TV. The Washington Post, 3 Dec. 2014. Web. 22 Dec. 2014.
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/posttv/world/middle_east/inside-kobanes-last-medical-station/2014/12/03/8c126b4a-cfd6-44b7-a4a4-8f93e22fb381_video.html>.
Lebanon arrests wife, son of IS chief Baghdadi. DailyMail.com. Associated Newspapers Ltd, 2 Dec. 2014. Web. 22 Dec. 2014.
<http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/afp/article-2857164/Lebanon-detains-wife-son-IS-chief-Baghdadi-security-source.html>.
Phillip, Abby. Police investigate the mysterious stabbing death of an American teacher in an Abu Dhabi bathroom. The Washington Post. The Washington Post, n.d. Web. 22 Dec.
2014.
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2014/12/03/police-investigate-the-mysterious-stabbing-death-of-an-american-teacher-in-an-abu-dhabi-bathroom/>.
Wan, William. Taiwans president to resign from party leadership. The Washington Post. The Washington Post, n.d. Web. 22 Dec. 2014.
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/taiwans-president-to-resign-from-party-leadership/2014/12/02/12651468-7a1a-11e4-84d4-7c896b90abdc_story.html>.
Woman arrested in death of U.S. teacher in United Arab Emirates. The Washington Post: post TV. The Washington Post, n.d. Web. 22 Dec. 2014.
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/posttv/world/middle_east/woman-arrested-for-death-of-us-teacher-in-united-arab-emirates/2014/12/04/cbbeb56f-86a9-4351-84969a538b2238e5_video.html>.

Works Cited: Week 3

(on separate sheet of paper)

Works Cited: Week 4

Craig, Tim, and Pamela Constable. "In Pakistan, Taliban massacre of schoolchildren fuels broad outrage." The Washington Post. The Washington Post, 16 Dec. 2014. Web. 22 Dec. 2014.
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/taliban-storm-a-public-school-in-pakistan/2014/12/16/bcd6f928-84f8-11e4-b9b7-b8632ae73d25_story.html>.
Craig, Tim, and Shaiq Hussein. "Pakistans military kills at least 119 suspected militants." The Washington Post. The Washington Post, 19 Dec. 2014. Web. 22 Dec. 2014.
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/in-expanding-offensives-pakistan-military-kills-at-least-67-suspected-militants/2014/12/19/a518e276-8771-11e4-b9b7-b8632ae73d25_story.html>.
Denyer, Simon. "Not as skinny as Obama, like Putin is okay. China censors schoolboys suggestion that Xi lose weight." The Washington Post. The Washington Post, 18 Dec. 2014. Web. 22
Dec. 2014. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2014/12/18/not-as-skinny-as-obama-like-putin-is-ok-china-censors-schoolboys-suggestion-that-xi-lose-weight/>.
"The Interview Poster." Comicbook.com. N.p., 17 Dec. 2014. Web. 22 Dec. 2014. <http://media.comicbook.com/uploads1/2014/12/the-interview-poster-preview-101292-115436.jpg>.
Press, Associated. "Chinas wealth finds home in Washington state." The Washington Post. The Washington Post, 19 Dec. 2014. Web. 22 Dec. 2014.
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/chinas-wealth-finds-home-in-washington-state/2014/12/19/594aeb64-874e-11e4-abcf-5a3d7b3b20b8_story.html>.
- - -. "How Kim Jong Un became the target of The Interview." The Washington Post. The Washington Post, 18 Dec. 2014. Web. 22 Dec. 2014.
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/how-kim-jong-un-became-the-target-of-the-interview/2014/12/17/7c1fa04e-865e-11e4-abcf-5a3d7b3b20b8_story.html>.
- - -. "Japan, US delay update to defense cooperation." The Washington Post. The Washington Post, n.d. Web. 22 Dec. 2014. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/japan-usdelay-update-to-defense-cooperation/2014/12/18/6a9dbcee-8725-11e4-abcf-5a3d7b3b20b8_story.html>.
Press, Associted. "Israel carries out airstrike on Hamas site in Gaza." The Washington Post. The Washington Post, 19 Dec. 2014. Web. 22 Dec. 2014.
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/israeli-military-says-gaza-rocket-hits-israel/2014/12/19/b63c859a-8770-11e4-abcf-5a3d7b3b20b8_story.html>.