This one has been bothering me for a while. I usually listen to The Economist podcast, as well as to From Our Own Correspondent, the BBC podcast. What I have noticed is that while BBC reporters will make their opinions clear about a subject they will also give you an alternative point of view on the issue, leaving you to make up your own mind about it. I find this way of reporting excellent: I want the reporter to tell me the news as accurately as possible but I also appreciate a personal comment from somebody that is likely to be better informed than me.
What I do not appreciate is the absolutism in the reports of The Economist, and in particular the derision and contempt that The Economist reporters use when talking about some countries. This is particularly obvious when they report on China.
I can think of several examples in the last few weeks.
When reporting on the decision of China to have a "car free" day the commentators of The Economist podcast dismissed this as an attempt of PR for the Olympic Games in 2008. So what? It is still better than not having it. They say that the contamination reduction due to this will be negligible. Of course it will be. Is that the point? NO. The point of an exercise like that is to show people how much nicer living in a city without cars is: less noise, more streets to walk freely, etc... This is a strategy that works long term. You may want to criticize the environmental laws in China, but talking about an initiative like this with contempt is not only unfair, but stupid.
What about the report on Che Guevara given by The Economist? A blood-thirsty tyrant turned into fashion star. Listening to their report you would think that he is actually commercializing the T-shirts to get rich. And by the way, that "u" in Guevara is silent. In contrast BBC reports on the influence this figure had and still has in South American politics and society, without hiding the fact that Che has been idolized and that he was less than perfect. A more accurate description that does not look down on the subject of the report.
I will continue listening to The Economist podcast, but only because I realize that one must always listen to other points of view. My gripe is not with the factual content of the reports but rather with the way the reports are presented. I will listen, but I will never enjoy those podcasts as much as the wonderful reports From Our Own Correspondent produced by BBC.
Mr. C
