Sweden provides US viewers with Earth Day inspiration
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People like to complain that American news outlets never spend any time covering foreign news. In contrast to Swedish broadcasters, which spend ample time covering international affairs, US national news programs rarely devote much air time to other countries (save those with which the US may be at war).
Thus, imagine our surprise upon seeing that NBC News, one of the traditional ‘Big 3′ television news networks in the US, devoted a precious 3 minutes and change (more than 10 percent!) of Monday evening’s broadcast to Sweden and it’s penchant for green living.
The King is eloquent as usual, but the mayor of Växjö left us puzzled with his talk of ‘whips and carrots’. See for yourself:
Now the question is whether SVT would ever bother to find a topic where the US can teach Swedes a thing or two, and dedicate an equal amount of air time to it.
What would you suggest?
April 22nd, 2008 at 6:35 pm
I think the bloggers should know that the US has inspired a LOT of malls being built in Sweden. They even knoecked down very old town centres to do it. What country has NOT been inspired by the US?
April 22nd, 2008 at 8:19 pm
When for once my home town is featured on the world stage, would you please be so kind to spell it right? It’s “Växjö”. Stockholmers… ;-)
April 24th, 2008 at 8:43 am
Why is the Swedish media so hell bent on foreign affairs. It should look closer to home where it has enough problems that are never reported.
April 24th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
Fred, what do you mean? You’re completely out of context.
April 24th, 2008 at 7:14 pm
“In contrast to Swedish broadcasters, which spend ample time covering international affairs…”
That is to say – not necessarily out of context.
April 26th, 2008 at 11:16 am
I think any attempt by a US network to spread the word about the green lifestyle, whether from Sweden or elsewhere, can only be a benefit in the long run.
The world needs all the help it can get.
..Walt!
N. America’s Disabled Adventurer.
http://www.bluechairbook.com
April 27th, 2008 at 11:34 pm
Rarely devote air time to other countries? Not true at all. They do plenty. But we do have a country of 300 million here.
April 28th, 2008 at 9:29 pm
Yes! I was watching the news when it came on. I was happy it was Sweden. But yes, we do report about the entire world. Here’s how it goes, we have the local news (Iowa for me) the national news, and the world news. Yes, sorry that we have more news to report than most countries…we’ll work on that.
May 5th, 2008 at 9:28 pm
Whoever wrote this article on The Local needs to get their head checked. Any comparison with Sweden and the US is absurd and downright a reflection of the self righteousness of the Swedish society. Give me a damn break! Sweden is a tiny useless country of 9 million people. Bark and bark you silly little dog…
May 5th, 2008 at 9:33 pm
Wait till you pay 90% in taxes so you can be the worlds green leaders…how exciting life gets in Sweden! Your s*&^ might be green too and then you can eat it…
May 9th, 2008 at 10:52 am
I love it. The green movement is taking over in Sweden.
May 17th, 2008 at 6:06 pm
Actually, there is A LOT of information about Sweden on American television all the time. Being an American, I can honestly say, that our news coverage is immense and the slant you get on each story will depend on which news station you happen to be watching. All that aside, there are other networks reporting in other forms (documentary, informational programming etc.) on the very good things that are happening all over the world…Sweden included. Not all American’s are mindless sheep that take the “news” as the only source of information. Some us look further and are interested in not only what other nations are doing but are also interested in how other countries view us. Perhaps we can all learn to be a little more open minded when it comes to news from other places.
May 18th, 2008 at 8:42 pm
Whips and carrots that was great fun.
Sweden should learn the NY police zero tolerance on crime. But suggestions in media is of that or other positives , uncivilized enough, not practically possible, it seems.
“Our ruler” , the King, might be replaced with a president too. I would prefer the US president.
May 23rd, 2008 at 2:58 am
The US does cover a lot of international news… our country is just very large and has a lot going on within (good and bad) and so airtime is limited.
Being an American, I can tell you that we are MUCH more aware and interested in the world than we get credit for… and keep in mind nearly ALL Americans are descendents of another country- most of us know and respect our roots. Although our country is a young one (only a bit over 200 years old instead of more than double that!), we do not all believe in our political policy and we are not all bubble headed Hiltons like you see in the media.
May 31st, 2008 at 1:09 pm
Växjö ? didnät know that, I always thought it was Växsjö, oh well.
According to research the Danes are the happiest in the world, not the Swedes. As far as I know our king is not much of a ruler, just a PR guy,that loves fast cars and are usually seen driving Ferraris, not the car shown.
June 4th, 2008 at 10:25 pm
Canada rules.. all move to canada
June 11th, 2008 at 9:03 am
I’m chiming in a bit late on this, sorry…
I usually resist the urge to argue with people who compare individual European countries to the US, but enough is enough.
An equal comparison of news coverage would be if one compared the US to the EU (imagining that each country within the EU is similar to a US state, where *almost* everyone speaks the same language and the effects of local politics have the capacity to effect the entire EU). That’s a much more fair comparison. By doing so, the amount of local/national/international news coverage between the two is nearly the same if not identical.
August 10th, 2008 at 12:18 am
well said craptastical. people seem to forget that sweden is the size of california with a population of only 9 million as opposed to californias 36 million. not exactly a good comparison then.