The list of 'The 10 Most Underreported Stories 2001' available from Doctors
without Borders USA (DWB-USA) is an excellent starting point for anyone (grad
student participants in this list?) who wants to follow up with a study of one
of the 'complex disasters' mentioned in the exchange between Mr. Cohen and
myself yesterday. I am grateful to Mr. Peiser for reminding us of it. I've
used it in the past, and find it thought provoking. DWB-USA have similar lists
for 2000 and 1999.
There are many reasons for 'unreporting' or 'underreporting', not all of them
'suspicious', as Mr. Peiser's message might be taken to imply (although,
unfortunately, Mr. Peiser doesn't define 'suspicious'!). The role of the media
in constructing 'disasters', shaping public attitudes toward disaster , toward
relief organizations and efforts, indeed, in shaping public policy (e.g. t.v.
cameras in Korem famine camp, Ethiopia, in 1974), is not well studied (another
half dozen dissertation topics here!).
Ben Wisner
Peiser Benny wrote:
> The 10 Most Underreported Stories 2001
> <http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/images/publications/reports/2002/top10
> _title.gif>
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