News and views

The one thing that strikes most people from outside the US is the world news, or rather, the lack of it. Yes, there are a number of very famous news organizations and television channels - CNN, Fox News, CBS, NBC, ABC and the like. But all of them are just US centric. To most "common" people, the world is America, because they are not exposed to information from other places on planet Earth. My feeling is, a vast majority of Americans are taken aback when they see the growing importance of China or India in the current world order. The simple reason is most people are simply not "aware" of China or India.

Take for instance the World Summit currently on at the United Nations. My main sources of what is going on there, are (believe it or not) online Indian newspaper editions and the good old www.rediff.com. You could similarly argue that we Indians tend to read too much into any minor favourable statement made about our growing "power". But I am pleased to say, we are not as short-sighted when it comes to worldly knowledge.

Oh, and the other thing that there is no dearth of in the media here is gossip. If you are channel surfing between 7 and 8 in the evening, you'll find the "Entertainment" news on most channels, and chances are you could be a Paris Hilton or Lindsay Lohan or Tara Reid or Jessica Simpson or Britney Spears expert in no time.

No wonder some of my colleagues at office are so adamant about *not* watching TV, except to catch the live sports action. Most people suggest the Washington Post as the best source of unbiased information. I am not convinced though that even they give world news a fair coverage.

Finally, check this picture I took at Fenway Park during the Red Sox vs Anaheim Angels game on 6 September.