dunroving

There have been a couple of pieces on Radio 4 recently on how different countries' media approach the current global economic crisis. In one program, they characterised the approach in developing countries as being one of "Sh*t happens, things come and go, life goes on", in the US as, "We are a string country and can get through this to become even stronger", and in the UK as "Run! Run! The sky is falling!"

A program just this morning reported that the level of debt the US is potentially getting into in its economic stimulus/recovery program is way larger than Brown's program (even taking into account the different seizes of the economy). So if anything, the US is in an even deeper hole than the UK ...

Being of a mind to return to the US, I have been following the UK media coverage of the UK economy pretty closely for the past couple of years and I must say the UK coverage is very much one of doom and gloom.

I was wondering from those of you "over there" - how are things being presented in the US media? Are they being "positive" about the future, as the Radio 4 program would have us believe or are they ramping up the bad news ever higher in an attempt to make the average person worry if we'll ever be normal again, as is the case over here?

Ray

The Messiah has come to save us .....

Pharrya

The more sensible media seem to be very matter-of-fact about the whole thing, from what I've seen. They seem to reel off the figure of losses, job cuts and earnings statements very dryly without too much panic.

Coupled with this of course, has been the inauguration. Obamas message has, as I see it, been one of 'We are facing a very grave crisis, but we can pull our socks up, work hard and weather the storm, and make America great'. The media, of course, has been giving a lot of airtime to this....

dunroving

Not just you lot ... according to the media over here, he's our salvation too ...

Ray

And a village in Kenya

notacrime

Hardly. This sums up the UK news's coverage of the inauguration:

Kaffy Mintcake

I think the UK summary of the American spin on the economy is fairly accurate. Thinking back to Obama's inaugural speech ... the message was "the challenges we face are real", it won't be easy, it won't be quick, but those challenges will be met. Sort of a persevere through tough times message.

meauxna

Oh stop already.. open your mind.

It's like the SciFi channel bumper.. What If...?

AmerLisa

I haven't witnessed him walking on water yet.....but its early days yet.

Steerpike

Doesn't your analysis above reflect the typical 'glass half full/half empty' difference in approaches to life in general between US/UK? If there is one reason above all others that I like being here, it's because people here have a more positive attitude and tend to focus on fixing problems (yes, they go about it in an annoying way sometimes ... but they get there in the end ....!)

Ray

Im convinced

Islandgurl

I agree...I haven't seen things so bad in the US..but there is a different level of hope in the US...more goal/results orientated

cindyabs

It takes a village to raise a country.

Lord Lionheart

Absolute nonsense. You guys are comparing a Presidential inaugural speech to reports in the British media i.e newspapers and press. This is an apples to oranges comparison.
Pick up any US newspaper, listen to the US news or radio and they are harping on about job losses, the horrible economy, the fall in house prices, the pending demise of US car makers and the banking crisis bailouts on a daily basis.

To illustrate my point with facts rather than your perceived feel good positive American attitude here's the business section from the newspapers of the US's major newspapers. See how many doom and gloom articles are on the front page about recession, job losses and all the items I mentioned above

http://www.latimes.com/business/

http://www.nytimes.com/pages/business/index.html

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/

Here's the business section from National Public Radio.
http://www.npr.org/templates/topics/...p?topicId=1006

Looks pretty grim to me with headlines of;

Madoff Investor Faces Loss Of Life Savings At 76
Jobs, Housing Battered; Microsoft Sets Layoffs
How To Rescue Your Nest Egg
Tech Trouble As Microsoft, Intel Announce Layoffs
More Bad News For Housing Sector
Harley-Davidson Sets Layoffs; GE Profits Plunge
Layoffs Force Many To Consider New Path
Librarians Become Unofficial Job Counselors
January 23, 2009 · The downward economy is putting more stress on libraries. Popular movies and books now have wait-lists

Like I said nonsense. The US press is just as downbeat ( realistic)

Lord Lionheart

I guess this guy didn't listen to all that positive news in the US media;

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lano...who-had-r.html

This is the second one in the LA area within a few months;

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la...,7425239.story

I wonder how many of these you get in the UK listening to all that bad news