A challenge to the American media in the New Year

Looking at the outpouring of support from people of conscience around the world in response to the recent tragedy in South Asia, I can't help but wonder how much better the lives of people in the world's most desperate regions might be if we were made aware in pictures and stories about their plight. Would the world have marshaled its resources to help the survivors of Bam or the victims of war in Sudan, Rwanda, DR Congo and other places if only the media had placed more resources on these stories and less on, for example, the spectacles of the Peterson trial or Michael Jackson. Would the world have brought pressure to bear on Vladimir Putin for his heartless repression of Chechins or on the military regime of Burma. Would aid have flown to Haiti or west Africa if only the media had given their suffering as much attention as it has given Paris Hilton and Barry Bonds. The media has incredible power, not just to inform, but to mobilize. My wish for 2005 is that the media, Fox and CNN in particular, will do the hard work, take the risks and pursue the stories of suffering around the world. Their stories need to be told and those of us that enjoy the blessings of liberty, peace and prosperity need to know how we can help. We share humanity with the poor and displaced and with those who differ on ideology, but those things make them no less human. They do not love their children less; and they too dream of a future of peace and hope.