Wednesday, 16 March 2005
Australian Media
The first time I came to Australia was December 2002. I was here for about six weeks, and it was an interesting time (for me at least) because I was able to compare and contrast the Aussie media with the American media.
At the time, the American media was in full-on "Gulf War Part Deux" mode. Every time you turned on the television you were reminded that war was imminent. When I came to Australia, however, it was a different story. The news programs here were more oriented more toward information and less toward hysterically babbling talking heads. It was a welcome change of pace.
However, in the past two years it seems that the Australian media has undgergone a lot of change. They seem to have adopted the American methodology of having three stories in heavy rotation supplemented by a smattering of "infotainment" news (Michael Jackson, the Oscars, etc).
True to form, there are currently three stories which are dominating every news outlet. One, the issue of pedophilia, has been a constant since my arrival in December 2004. Australia is currently VERY concerned with child molesters; so much so that they've taken to passing laws forbidding people from taking pictures of children at the beach. Parents are being chastised by lifeguards for taking pictures of their own children playing in the water. It's crazy, but that's what media-fueled hysteria does to people, I guess.
The second is Prince Charles' wedding/Prince of Denmark wedding. This is now tapering off, and I suspect it will be replaced within the next week or so.
The third story has been building for the past 6 months or so. It involves a 27 year old woman named Schapelle Corby who was accused of attempting to smuggle 4.1 kg of marijuana into Densapar, Bali last October:
Shocked, at times tearful, Corby said she had never seen the marijuana before. She insisted it must have been inserted in her luggage during transit. So any video images showing the boogie board bag's size and shape while it was in Corby's care were important. Her defence lawyers asked for them. But the closed circuit TV at the Brisbane Qantas check-in was experiencing problems and any images recorded that morning were wiped 25 days later.
If convicted, Corby will face the death penalty.
There are more than a few holes in the Indonesian prosecutor's case. Why would anyone risk a death sentence smuggling marijuana from Australia to Bali, where it will sell for much less than they could get in Australia? This is not only the biggest marijuana importation into Bali intercepted by customs. It is the only one.
 Schapelle Leigh Corby with her lawyer |
Corby contends that she is an innocent victim of an Australian smuggling ring. She believes that the drugs were placed in her luggage by baggage handlers in Brisbane and were meant to be removed when her bags were transferred in Sydney. For some reason that didn't happen and she was left holding the bag (literally) when she arrived in Denpasar.
This case has generated an outpouring of public sympathy in Australia. Because travelling is such an integral part of Aussie culture, people are quick to recognize that what is happining to Corby could easily happen to anyone.
Corby goes before a tribunal of judges today with what the defence claims is new evidence that could potentially clear her name. I'll keep you posted.
Posted by flow Frazao on March 16, 2005 at 04:03 PM in Australia | Permalink
Can someone tell me, is the Indonesian government, and the authorities in Bali totally stupid, the amount of marijuana that Schapelle Corby was supposed to have tried and smuggle into Bali, is worth approx $40,000 in Australia, and $4,000 in Bali. Now you don't have to be a rocket scientist to realize that it would be the other way around, trying to bring the goods into Australia. When is the Australian government going to get of the fat arses and do something for this poor woman. The government doesn't hesitate to help other countries in the time of need, doesn't Schapelle need your help as well. Schapelle my thoughts are with you, it is just a shame you don't have a government that will help you.
Posted by: Len Sank | Apr 13, 2005 4:05:18 AM
If a traveller is an innocent patsy for a botched internal drug courier system of corruption within an Australian system then SHAME on Australian culture.
Drugs are the decay of society but it seems to be well utilized in Australia regardless of this situation. If Shappelle is in fact innocent then Australia is GUILTY owing to its cultural cravings and use of drugs. Its use is rampant which is a shame so party goers that light up cannabis do so with infringements and maybe have contributed to this situation.
If the accused is innocent Australia isnt, If shes guilty Australia is guilty with HER!
Wheres Byron BAY? Oxford st , Kerferd road and other "yuppie" pot holes? Is this where 4 kg's of cannibas was destined?
Posted by: innocent Australia | Apr 17, 2005 8:33:40 AM
AUSTRALIA IS FORCING INDONESIAN JUDGES TO THEIR KNEES.
Ron Bakir-one of Corby's mugs (clients) obviously gets his 'reward's from Corby...and what has he got to hide?
AUSTRALIA OVERTHROWS IRAQ, AFGHANISTAN, IRAN AND NOW INDONESIA!!
This means CHRISTIAN DEMOCRACY IS FORCING ISLAM AND MUSLIMS TO THEIR KNEES WHERE THEY HELPLESSLY CHANGE THE LAWS TO SUIT AUSTRALIA!
indonesia is weak.
THE AUSTRALIAN PUBLIC HAS NO RIGHT TO STICK THEIR BEAK INTO INDONESIAN COURT PROCEDURES BUT ORDINARY OZZIES ARE FORCING INDONESIAN JUDGES TO CHANGE THEIR LAWS HAHAHAHA- WHOSE YA DADDY?
australia overthrows indonesia!
CORBY WILL WALK.
THEN AUSTRALIA WILL PUSH THEIR CRIME PREVENTION AND HARSH PENALTIES FOR DRUGS HOBBY GROUPS. ITS A FARCE.
LETS ALL GO TO INDONESIA AND SELL DRUGS- HAVE NO FEAR WE WILL WALK TOO!
Posted by: AUSTRALIA OVERTHROWS INDONESIAN JUDICIAL SYSTEM! | Apr 22, 2005 12:18:38 PM
AUSTRALIA IS FORCING INDONESIAN JUDGES TO THEIR KNEES.
Ron Bakir-one of Corby's mugs (clients) obviously gets his 'reward's from Corby...and what has he got to hide?
AUSTRALIA OVERTHROWS IRAQ, AFGHANISTAN, IRAN AND NOW INDONESIA!!
This means CHRISTIAN DEMOCRACY IS FORCING ISLAM AND MUSLIMS TO THEIR KNEES WHERE THEY HELPLESSLY CHANGE THE LAWS TO SUIT AUSTRALIA!
indonesia is weak.
THE AUSTRALIAN PUBLIC HAS NO RIGHT TO STICK THEIR BEAK INTO INDONESIAN COURT PROCEDURES BUT ORDINARY OZZIES ARE FORCING INDONESIAN JUDGES TO CHANGE THEIR LAWS HAHAHAHA- WHOSE YA DADDY?
australia overthrows indonesia!
CORBY WILL WALK.
THEN AUSTRALIA WILL PUSH THEIR CRIME PREVENTION AND HARSH PENALTIES FOR DRUGS HOBBY GROUPS. ITS A FARCE.
LETS ALL GO TO INDONESIA AND SELL DRUGS- HAVE NO FEAR WE WILL WALK TOO!
Posted by: AUSTRALIA OVERTHROWS INDONESIAN JUDICIAL SYSTEM! | Apr 22, 2005 12:20:51 PM
What do you expect from a police force and justice system produced by an island that worships monkeys...that is when they aren't busy trying to remove the bad spirits from a rock. They're all a bunch of morons and poor Shappelle is paying the price for their stupidity.
Does Idiotnesia even care how they look on the world stage? Monkey-worshipping fools who can't connect the dots...oy vey!
Posted by: Puh-leez...these people worship monkeys! | May 14, 2005 12:51:40 AM
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