Reading Journal 3 (Emily Katz)

North Korea appeals to foreign governments for food aid

Julian Borger

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/feb/10/north-korea-appeals-foreign-food-aid/print

In the article, the journalist consults “diplomatic sources” to confirm the fact that North Korea ordered its embassies to appeal to foreign governments for food aid rather than seeking assistance through the World Food Programme. The lede suggests that multiple diplomats back up the journalist’s assertion, though it doesn’t reveal which countries the diplomats represent. The journalist also backs up the assertion that North Korea is appealing to foreign governments instead of to international organizations with the WFP source admitting that they were short in raising the budget to meet North Korea’s needs. While the article does include a direct quote from “an Asian diplomat”, it is unclear which country he or she represents. Such ambiguity is also present in the statement from “a European official”, and no information is given on which countries the embassies are located in. It appears that the diplomats and officials wish to remain anonymous; if that is true, the writer should make this fact clear to the reader. The writer does cite a direct quote from London’s Foreign Office spokesman, who says that aid will be given once they receive the assessment results from the WFP. The journalist is also successful in getting quotes from Marcus Prior, the WFP spokesman in Asia, and Greg Barrow, a WFP spokesman at the headquarters. These two men’s words are important, for they should help the reader understand why the WFP is falling short in providing aid. The direct quotes from the World Food Programme officials provide relevant information such as the role weather has played in devastating North Korea’s agriculture and how the WFP is 80% underfunded. I consider the article not well sourced in the sense that North Korea is only represented through the anonymous diplomats. However, I think the journalist did the best that he could, given the status of North Korea and how hard it is to get a direct quote from its government. Another important source that was overlooked was the South Korean government. I would also have liked to hear their perspective on the issue and whether they will provide aid.

Rainbow of Fireworks Strews Blackened Bouquets in China

By ANDREW JACOBS

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/10/world/asia/10fireworks.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

The central issue outlined in the article is the Chinese people’s love of setting off fireworks during the Lunar New Year and the officials’ concerns for the safety of its people. The journalist begins the article by directly quoting a kindergarten teacher, who views the fireworks an essential part of the New Year. The reader gets a sense of the citizen’s perspective right from the start. At the same time, the journalist provides evidence from the states media showing the data for accidents resulting from fireworks—outlining the conflict. The writer presents cites an overwhelming number of statements from state-run organizations to government officials and their differing views regarding how fireworks should be regulated. Though sources are all from the Chinese government, a variety of perspectives are represented. For example, the government-run Web portal, Red Net, calls for stricter rules than Hui Liangyu, the vice prime minister of China, who called for citizens to just be “vigilant”. By representing different levels in the Chinese government and their different perspectives, the journalist shows how the fireworks are not a simple black-and-white issue. The journalist is also successful in getting the perspective of a fireworks salesman, who views the Lunar New Year as a grand opportunity to make money. Here the writer reveals a potential economic motive for the Chinese government to continue to allow fireworks, for it appears to stimulate the economy. The article ends with a presentation of a variety of citizens’ perspectives, with quotes from a technology company worker, a Beijing resident, and a conservation architect. The writer also gives credit to a David Yang, who contributed to the research. Overall, the journalist is successful in representing the people affected, the Chinese citizens, as well as the officials’ concerns and plan of action.