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I find it interesting that journalists (specifically current or ex journos working in foreign correspondence) feel more comfortable denouncing publicly the Vice scandal of the artist falsifying Tuol Sleng photos vs. CNN self-aggrandizing media blitz to Myanmar 1/n
At its root, both situations deal with the same issue of the harmfulness of white gaze on foreign (or in their view “exotic”) countries, the arrogance of whiteness in the face of great pain, the reinterpretation of a narrative for the comfort of their whiteness 2/n
One of the key difference is that the gross misuse of the Khmer Rouge photos deal with an “old” event. And it’s a relatively unknown shitty artist doing them. (And as media, we do have a tendency to pile on Vice) 3/n
Is that why everyone (by which I mean the foreign corro tribe) feels comfortable being so publicly self-righteous about it? Since in this situation, we ourselves would be blameless? When so many of the same people were quiet with the CNN disaster? 4/n
Lest we forget, 11 people were detained during that CNN trip (yes 8 released but in hiding).
That’s 11 more than when other outlets already on the ground have been working for more than two months. 5/n
That’s 11 more than when other outlets already on the ground have been working for more than two months. 5/n
Is the white silence because so many of us are torn between wanting to also be in Myanmar (to be able to parachute in, so to speak) while also disapproving of the way it was done by CNN?
Or Bc CNN is so big we’re afraid of professional repercussions? 6/n
Or Bc CNN is so big we’re afraid of professional repercussions? 6/n
Or is it fear that criticism would cast scrutiny on themselves? Is it because they’re not quite ready to reckon that they (as am I) are complicit in a system that is broken in how it serves non-white communities?
Or I guess they could also think CNN’s method was perfect
7/n
Or I guess they could also think CNN’s method was perfect
7/n
There have been many depressing things about this week (80+ dead in Bago confirmed yesterday, their bodies treated so carelessly).
But seeing the silence from most of my white corro comrades working in the region — and btw, that’s MOST of ‘em — over the CNN fiasco has been 8/n
But seeing the silence from most of my white corro comrades working in the region — and btw, that’s MOST of ‘em — over the CNN fiasco has been 8/n
the cherry of hopelessness on top of a demoralizing sundae. It tells me that for our industry to change and be better, it will always have to be us non-white faces fighting for it — while being at higher risk of getting penalized for it. 9/n
Maybe y’all disagree the two issues are relevant. It’s relevant.
if you can’t see that, then you don’t yet get (or don’t wanna get) that the whiteness of media is like a persistent drip of a leaky faucet, filling audience’s world views on so-called “shithole” countries.
10/n
if you can’t see that, then you don’t yet get (or don’t wanna get) that the whiteness of media is like a persistent drip of a leaky faucet, filling audience’s world views on so-called “shithole” countries.
10/n
The artist’s actions were gross, but he’s not a journalist. The Vice reporter coulda asked more questions but she likely didn’t because his explanation fit in her world view of “poor Asian people just smiling”. How did she get that world view? 11/12
Anyway just something I noticed this week. The whiplash I’m getting from y’all’s silence to prolific condemnation is positively neck-breaking 
Nothing more to say other than I wasn’t the only one who noticed it. From @SanneBreimer: https://inclusivejournalism.com/2021/04/06/white-silence-about-the-clarissa-ward-report-for-cnn-is-more-disturbing-than-the-news-itself/amp/
Nothing more to say other than I wasn’t the only one who noticed it. From @SanneBreimer: https://inclusivejournalism.com/2021/04/06/white-silence-about-the-clarissa-ward-report-for-cnn-is-more-disturbing-than-the-news-itself/amp/
