Friday 15 September, 2006

Bone

The story about Naomi Robson, the Indonesian Police and cannibalism in Papual New Guinea would be extremely funny if it wasn't for the contempable approach to journalism being displayed by both Channel 7 and Channel 9. One of the reasons Paupuans are being treated badly by the Indonesian government is to do with Indonesia's racisim about tribal cultures and both channels focusing on the story of a a young boy who is, apparently, about to be eaten totally feeds (sorry about the pun) into this kind of thinking. Cannibalism might be happening there, I don't know, but it is certain that the real abuse of human rights is in the way the Indonesian police and soldiers treat Papuans. But that isn't a story that feeds into fears a millenia old, and mindless racism.

As for Channel 7 - there is only one thing worse than doing a stupid story on cannibals, and that is stealing and recycling someone else's stupid story on cannibals. I wish the lot of them would just eat each other. Leaving the bones for Eddie Macguire of course.

Permanent Link for this Article