One of the most widespread European beliefs regarding United States is the illiteracy of its people. It strikes me, especially when shown in a country (Spain) which has its own periodic share of educative humiliation in the way of Pisa Reports.

 

The following video is quite old, but still interesting. It was filmed in a CNN style by the satiric team of the Australian program ‘The Chaser’. Julian Morrow, one of its members, asked some questions to anonimous passers-by in Texas. And this was the result (≈10 min.)...

I am not denying the initial shock that some of the answers provoke, being as horrified by them as many other bloggers that have already expressed their reaction. What I am saying is that this kind of ignorant answers, let's be honest, can be found in many places of any country of the World.

According to the RAE, cliche is a "common place, idea or expression which is too often repeated or formulated". Even if disinformation exists to some extent, and must be treated as a problem, maybe U.S. stupidity is one of those cliches and becomes, as any other, a harming one for international journalism. 

A new blog, Kill the cliche, analyses international news published by the elite press in order to identify overused terms. Anybody remember "collateral damages" and its serious consequences? It sounds as a new useful tool to become aware of the influence of sanitized expressions and untested thoughts when covering abroad.

 

 

TrackBack URI para esta entrada

Nombre

Email

Sitio Web

Comentario

Escribe los caracteres de la imagen

Enviar