the fourth estate

Australian drug smuggler Nguyen Tuong Van was hanged at the Changi Prison this morning. This brings to an end the many weeks of pleas and demands for his clemency.

If anything, this episode highlighted the contrasting manner and tone of reporting by the media of the two countries. Depending on where you read, you'll either think that most Australians are for the execution (Straits Times), or they're not (most other Australian press). Another example is that while the ST reported this morning that the Singapore government made an 'exception' and allowed his mother 'contact' with him, the Australian press revealed that she was only allowed to hold his hand and not hug him, and that PM Howard was very disappointed with Singapore's decision.

Are you for the death penalty, or against? Hold on a second, you've already decided, because our PM said that Singaporeans are for it. He knows best, of course!

If you ask me, I think the mainstream media on both sides are very guilty of selective reporting. Better to get your news from the neutral sources!