Overall Review of Global Papers’ Editorials

(Photo : AP/NEWSis)

For a couple of days I have read through several newspapers and checked what they editorialized about. Considering that the abduction of schoolgirls has been a hot topic over the world for several weeks, it was understandable that the New York Times touched on this issue. It is an issue concerned with very fundamental human rights for girls, who, as well as boys, must enjoy the basic human rights to learn. What nonsense it is if a militant group abducts girls who stay in a dormitory of a school to stop them from receiving education.

The newspaper editorials that I checked online and offline at random are: The Nation of Thailand, The New York Times, Le Monde of France, The Asahi Shinbun, The Seoul Shinmun and Kyunghyang Shinmun of S. Korea. The purpose of reviewing global editorials is to grasp roughly what are hot issues the global village is faced with.

The Nation dealing with recent quakes in the north

First, the Nation’s editorial dated May 8 dealt with a 6.3 magnitude tremor the Thais experienced recently. The editorial entitled “Strong quake is a wake-up call for Thailand” said that Thais need to develop new measures to deal with seismic activity.” The quake measuring 6.3 by the Richter scale was unheard of among Thais, the editorial said. The quake was the strongest ever recorded in the Thai Kingdom.

The editorial says that the affected areas are in and around Chiang Rai, the northern region and the quake left many houses uninhabitable, and put alarming cracks in hotels, schools and government offices. The damage does not appear to be costly, with no casualties mentioned in the sentences. However, the editorial emphasizes that the authorities should be prepared against future quakes by examining e.g., transport infrastructure and buildings, etc. In a nutshell, the editorial stressed that Thais should no longer be complacent that the country has been safe from quakes.

South Africans protest in solidarity against the abduction three weeks ago of hundreds of schoolgirls in Nigeria by the Muslim extremist group Boko Haram and what protesters said was the failure of the Nigerian government and international community to rescue them, during a march to the Nigerian Consulate in Johannesburg, South Africa Thursday, May 8, 2014. The kidnapping has ignited a viral social media campaign that has brought renewed attention to Boko Haram's campaign of violence, and protests around the world. (Photo : AP/NEWSis)

The NYT criticizes Boko Haram’s abduction of girls

The New York Times dated May 6 touched on hundreds of girls abducted in Nigeria. The editorial entitled “The Stolen Girls” said that “Three weeks after the horrifying abduction in Nigeria, the 276 schoolgirls taken from a school by armed militants are still missing, possibly sold into slavery or married off.” The opinion piece criticized that the country’s president, Jonathan Goodluck, has been shockingly slow and inept at addressing this monstrous crime.

Boko Haram, the ruthless Islamist group claimed the responsibility for the kidnappings. The group, whose name roughly means “Western education is a sin,” has waged war against Nigeria for rfive years. According to the editorial, Boko Haram’s claim that it follows Islamic teachings is nonsense. A pre-eminent Islamic theological institute, Al-Azhar in Egypt, denounced the abductions, saying “it completely contradicts the teachings of Islam and its tolerant principles.”

The editorial concluded that the show of force, i.e., the mobilization of 6000 strong troops in preparation for the World Economic Forum could keep delegates safe, but that if the government cannot contain a virulent insurgency, the Nigerian government could not protect its own people, attract investment and lead the country to its full potential.

Le Monde blaming the authorities for delays in driver license issuance

Le Monde, dated May 3, accessed online talked about driving license. The editorial criticized the authorities about the administrative delays in issuing the drivers’ licenses and its high expenses. The editorial is entitled “Le permis de conduire, trop lent, trop cher.” The piece says that “40 percent of candidates fail in the first driving test, and the average delay in taking the re-test takes 98 days, more that three months. Additionally, the candidates for licenses should pay 3000 euros, which is a prohibitive expense.

The opinion piece argues that obtaining the driver license is “an essential condition to get a job”(condition essentielle pour trouver un travail). Therefore, the editorial contends that the “shortage of examination posts”(manque de postes d’inspecteurs) should be solved the soonest possible.

Delays and high expenses in issuance of driver license should be solved. However, strict issuance of driver licenses can also be meaningful in enlightening future drivers to be more safety-sensitive. Considering that recent ferry disaster in South Korea occurred because of inattention to safety measures and extreme mammonism in part of the Korean society, Le Monde’s editorial sounds quite interesting.

Asahi faults NHK chairman’s interference in news reporting

The editorial of the Asahi Shinbun dated May 8 discussed credibility of the public broadcaster NHK’s chairman by refuting his controversial remarks. The editorial argues that considering that the purpose of the public broadcaster should not be seeking profit-making but securing public welfare, recent remarks by the chairman of NHK impairs the credibility of NHK.

According to the opinion piece, in an executive board meeting on April 30, chairman of NHK Katzto Momii remarked that “mere concerns about (consumption tax) cannot be news.” The piece says that if the chairman wants to add his own views, thus preventing balanced news reporting, it is wrong. The editorial appears to criticize the unguaranteed intervention in news by the chairman.

Seoul Shinmun stresses securing resources for safe society

In one of the editorials of the Korean newspaper Seoul Shinmun, May 8, emphasis was placed on safety. The editorial entitled “Secure resources solution should be presented for construction of ‘safe society” argues that more resources should be allocated to the safety for citizens.

Kyunhyang argues against outsourcing safety management

The editorial of the Kyunghyang Shinmun on May 8 says that management of safety should not be outsourced as currently under the pretext of “customary”. This reflects that given the recent ferry disaster more intense attention should be given to safety for citizens.