• Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Login
  • Register
  • Home
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
No Result
View All Result
Home Reviews

Media vs. Beijing 2008: Some thoughts on the Media’s Responsibilities

Larry EderbyLarry Eder
May 7, 2008
0
0 0
0
SHARES
0
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

By all standards, the world protest over the Olympic Torch Relay was a success. The Beijing government is speaking to the representatives of the Dalai, a man they have tried to supress for nearly fifty-five years. In return, they hope, their Olympics will be viewed as the global coming out party that 1.5 billion Chinese hope for.
How should the media respond to the Beijing Olympics? Here are some of my thoughts on the process and the minefields in reporting and chronicling a different culture or
cultural experience…..


The world is counting the days to Beijing. The Chinese government is hoping that their discussions with the Dalai Lama’s representatives will be, at best, non news worthy. That will never happen. The world is focused on Tibet, and the fascination with the 14 Dalai Lama is a global phenomenon. If you do not believe that, then just go to ft.com and look up the superb feature done on the Dalai Lama last Sunday, May 4, 2008.
In my favorite song by Steve Forbert, the song master croons, ” You can not win if you do not play (Cellophane City, 1977)”. This should be the mantra for all in public relations. The Olympic stage is a stage with no borders. Any country who dreams of hosting an Olympics must note that they will be the focal point of all that is wrong with their country, perceived wrong with their country and or perceived wrong with the world.
The Beijing Olympics will be a lesson in global miscommunications. There will be things done, by the worlds’ media, that the Chinese government will see as intrusive and just none of the world’s business. There will be power outages and system failures that the Western media will find too coincidental to not comment on or protest.
In the end, we have the amazing opportunity to witness a global power emerging, with all of its pride and energy, and all of its warts and issues. This Olympics will be an intrusive process, and I hope and pray that the observers will take it all in and consider the results of our comments and thoughts.
I liken it to Charles Darwin’s voyage to the Galapagos. In that environment, Mr. Darwin was able to consider the world in those little islands and the power and mystery of nature. He then went back and did his writing, from his own observations.
The web is a cruel patron. Some services are all about putting out information first, some are about stirring up the kettle first, and some are still considering what a journalist does.
What does a journalist do? A journalist, in this bloggers’ mind, is the eyes and ears for his or her readers. They use their judgement, their prejudices, their life experiences to give the reader a view, tainted in their patina, of the world as they see it and also the world as it should be. A journalist should be a critical observer of the world, a journalist who has allowed himself or herself to become a cynical observer should probably go into entertainment news.
The web, with all of its opportunities, has democratized the distribution of information–and it has not all been good. Rupert Murdoch is blamed for saying that with five hundred plus television stations, there are lots of places for poorly done television.
The two books that influenced my decent into media are The Gutenberg Galaxy ( Marshal McLuhan), and Where the Wasteland Ends ( Theodore Rozak). McLuhan would not be surprised by the web and the way things have gone, he would be saddened. It was McLuhan who said ” The medium is the message.”
Media is perceived differently by cultural experiences. Part of the reason that we are not getting through to the Chinese is that they see our protests, even non violent, civil disobedience as throwing it up in their face. Even non supporters of the government who are Chinese are rallying against the process!
As we get closer to the Beijing Olympics, we need to consider the perception and reality of the situations. The perception of the Chinese of Western media will be negative in some ways, and curious in others. The reality of the situation is that most of us will be in a culture that we have no handle on, and we will need to consider the subtext of information given and information taken.
The protest over the Olympic Torch Relay were a success in that they drew the IOC and the LOC in Beijing to discuss with the Beijing government the lack of goodwill that China would feel over its handling of Tibet and Darfur, among other hot sports. Beijing has made some moves, and now, it is time for the media to watch those moves closely and insure that as the Beijing Olympics come to fruition, that the Chinese government continues its evolution of the relationships with Tibet and Darfur in order to be welcomed to the world party that is the Olympic family.
For more on the sport, please check out http://www.runningnetwork.com

RelatedPosts

Marathon Wisdom, Part 2 by Mara Yamauchi

Mara Yamauchi Marathon wisdom Part 1

Books 101: Three books on 1960 Athletics (Archives, July 2020)

Author

  • Larry Eder
    Larry Eder

    Larry Eder has had a 50-year involvement in the sport of athletics. Larry has experienced the sport as an athlete, coach, magazine publisher, and now, journalist and blogger. His first article, on Don Bowden, America's first sub-4 minute miler, was published in RW in 1983. Larry has published several magazines on athletics, from American Athletics to the U.S. version of Spikes magazine. He currently manages the content and marketing development of the RunningNetwork, The Shoe Addicts, and RunBlogRun. Of RunBlogRun, his daily pilgrimage with the sport, Larry says: "I have to admit, I love traveling to far away meets, writing about the sport I love, and the athletes I respect, for my readers at runblogrun.com, the most of anything I have ever done, except, maybe running itself." Theme song: Greg Allman, " I'm no Angel."

    View all posts

Previous Post

Global News, Courtesy of EME News and Alfons Juck, commentary by Larry Eder

Next Post

Where are they now? Richard Kimball

Larry Eder

Larry Eder

Larry Eder has had a 50-year involvement in the sport of athletics. Larry has experienced the sport as an athlete, coach, magazine publisher, and now, journalist and blogger. His first article, on Don Bowden, America's first sub-4 minute miler, was published in RW in 1983. Larry has published several magazines on athletics, from American Athletics to the U.S. version of Spikes magazine. He currently manages the content and marketing development of the RunningNetwork, The Shoe Addicts, and RunBlogRun. Of RunBlogRun, his daily pilgrimage with the sport, Larry says: "I have to admit, I love traveling to far away meets, writing about the sport I love, and the athletes I respect, for my readers at runblogrun.com, the most of anything I have ever done, except, maybe running itself." Theme song: Greg Allman, " I'm no Angel."

Similar Post

CONICA eyeing new track ahead of 2024 European Athletics Championships
Track Facilities

CONICA eyeing new track ahead of 2024 European Athletics Championships

March 31, 2023
Can carbon-plated running shoes cause injuries? Five Questions with Dr. Adam Tenforde, Mass General Brigham Hospital

Can carbon-plated running shoes cause injuries? Five Questions with Dr. Adam Tenforde, Mass General Brigham Hospital

March 31, 2023
2023 European Athletics Indoor Champs, Saturday night in Istanbul!

Coffee With Larry, Is Thomas Bach damaging Paris 2024? Laura Muir & Jemma Reekie seek new coaching arrangement, Paul Tanui goes to Daegu for marathon debut!

March 31, 2023
Kenya’s Paul Tanui to make his debut marathon in Daegu!

Kenya’s Paul Tanui to make his debut marathon in Daegu!

March 31, 2023
CHEPTEGEI, KIPLIMO TO RENEW THEIR RIVALRY AT UNITED AIRLINES NYC HALF

2023 RunBlogRun Spring Training for the Middel Distances, 800m to 5,000 meters, Week 3, Day 5…Friday is easy day

March 31, 2023
The Formation of the World Athletics Championships, a special Heritage feature by Mike Rowbottom for World Athletics Heritage Department

The Formation of the World Athletics Championships, a special Heritage feature by Mike Rowbottom for World Athletics Heritage Department

March 31, 2023

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Subscribe to RunBlogRun's Global News Feed

Wake up to RunBlogRun’s news in your inbox. Sign up for our newsletter and we’ll keep you informed about the Sport you love.

*we hate spam as much as you do

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
USATF / Day Four:  USA’s Assembled Team Is Ready!

Abby Steiner replies via twitter, on the curiosity about her new professional running contract

July 5, 2022
What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

July 17, 2022
Oregon 22 World Athletics Champs: False Starts reconsidered

Oregon 22 World Athletics Champs: False Starts reconsidered

November 18, 2022
2022 USATF Outdoor Champs: Melissa Jefferson takes the Women’s 100m title in windy 10.69!

The curious case of Sha’Carri Richardson: How can the sprinter turn around her career?

February 8, 2023
Asafa Powell, Considering Longevity in Sprinting

The RunBlogrun Interview: Asafa Powell

5
What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

5
TCS New York City Marathon Broadcast to be Available in More Than 530 Million Homes Around the World on Sunday, November 6

RunblogRun Editorial: The Sorry State of Running Television Coverage, by Peter Abraham, note by Larry Eder

4
2022 Munich Diary, Day Five, a Great Friday Night

2023 European Athletics Indoor Champs, The Women’s 60m, who will win the final tonight?

4
CONICA eyeing new track ahead of 2024 European Athletics Championships

CONICA eyeing new track ahead of 2024 European Athletics Championships

March 31, 2023
Can carbon-plated running shoes cause injuries? Five Questions with Dr. Adam Tenforde, Mass General Brigham Hospital

Can carbon-plated running shoes cause injuries? Five Questions with Dr. Adam Tenforde, Mass General Brigham Hospital

March 31, 2023
2023 European Athletics Indoor Champs, Saturday night in Istanbul!

Coffee With Larry, Is Thomas Bach damaging Paris 2024? Laura Muir & Jemma Reekie seek new coaching arrangement, Paul Tanui goes to Daegu for marathon debut!

March 31, 2023
Kenya’s Paul Tanui to make his debut marathon in Daegu!

Kenya’s Paul Tanui to make his debut marathon in Daegu!

March 31, 2023

Popular Stories

  • USATF / Day Four:  USA’s Assembled Team Is Ready!

    Abby Steiner replies via twitter, on the curiosity about her new professional running contract

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Oregon 22 World Athletics Champs: False Starts reconsidered

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • The curious case of Sha’Carri Richardson: How can the sprinter turn around her career?

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • (RBR Archives) Coaching 101: Warm Up & Cool Down for the Jumps, by Roy Stevenson, note by Larry Eder

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Recent Tweets

RunBlogRun Follow

RunBlogRun comments on the global world of athletics, sports & ethics, and the Olympic movement. RunBlogRun is the voice of the sport.

RunBlogRun
runblogrun RunBlogRun @runblogrun ·
25 Mar

This is the review of the Brooks Hyperion Max training shoe for #ForShoeGeeks, by #RunBlogRun, https://bit.ly/3z2V84f , #brooksrunning, #hyperionmax, #runhappy, #tracklife, #trackandfield, #runningcommunity, #runningshoes, #runningshoereview,

Reply on Twitter 1639463192287133697 Retweet on Twitter 1639463192287133697 Like on Twitter 1639463192287133697 2 Twitter 1639463192287133697
runblogrun RunBlogRun @runblogrun ·
25 Mar

This is the review of the #NewBalance1080, #freshfoam, by #TheShoeGeeks,
https://bit.ly/3FPQPx4, #shoereviews, #runningnetwork, #runblogrun, #newbalance, #runningcommuninity, #runningshoes, #newbalancerunning,

Reply on Twitter 1639460305318334465 Retweet on Twitter 1639460305318334465 Like on Twitter 1639460305318334465 1 Twitter 1639460305318334465
runblogrun RunBlogRun @runblogrun ·
25 Mar

This is Coffee With Larry for Friday, March 24, 2023, https://bit.ly/3FRLWU6, #peachtreeroadrace, #adidasrunning, #worldchamps, #asicsrunning, #worldathletics,

Reply on Twitter 1639446531995758593 Retweet on Twitter 1639446531995758593 Like on Twitter 1639446531995758593 Twitter 1639446531995758593
runblogrun RunBlogRun @runblogrun ·
25 Mar

Today is a recovery day, and you will enjoy it! https://bit.ly/3TPEqyU , Workout for 2023 RunBlogRun Spring Training Week 2, Day 5, and we take a recovery day! #track, #trackandfield, #tracklife, #TheTEN, #soundrunning,

Reply on Twitter 1639439220019453952 Retweet on Twitter 1639439220019453952 Like on Twitter 1639439220019453952 Twitter 1639439220019453952
runblogrun RunBlogRun @runblogrun ·
25 Mar

Noah Lyles was a busy guy in Vegas! @lylesnoah, @adidasrunning, @gamupdates, @LanceBrauman, @PUREathletic

RunBlogRun @RunBlogRun

Did interview @lylesnoah on Thursday! Watch for 2 interviews coming with Noah on #runblogrun! He was very busy during the @gamupdates medai/business conference, with a 12 plus interviews, 4 podcasts, training, @adidasrunning, #kevinmorris, #gucci, @pureathletic, @lancebrauman

Reply on Twitter 1639434289396719616 Retweet on Twitter 1639434289396719616 Like on Twitter 1639434289396719616 Twitter 1639434289396719616
Load More...
Next Post

Where are they now? Richard Kimball

runblogrun

RunBlogRun comments on the global world of athletics, sports & ethics, and the Olympic movement. @runblogrun

Browse by Category

Newsletter

Subscribe to our mailing list to receives daily updates direct to your inbox!

  • Home
  • Archive
  • Contact Us

© 2022 Run Blog Run - All Rights Reserved

No Result
View All Result
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
  • Home page
  • My Account
  • Sample Page

© 2022 Run Blog Run - All Rights Reserved

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

Select a password for yourself. (minimum length of 8)

Paste here the user biography.

Provide here the twitter screen name. i.e. @RunBlogRun

Provide here the instagram screen name. i.e. @RunBlogRun

Provide here the facebook profile URL. i.e. http://www.facebook.com/RunBlogRun

Provide here the linkedin profile URL. i.e. https://www.linkedin.com/in/larry-eder-5497253

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist