The idea of consumerism gained momentum in the 20th century, the advent of the internet and especially blogs has given consumerism the ultimate tool, a forum controlled by consumers to reach other consumers. For this reason I thought it would interesting to take an analytical look at how the Mainstream media presents a story that effects consumers around the world as opposed to how consumers and consumer watchdogs present the same story.
Both forums report on China's ongoing scandal of tainted milk that has killed numerous children. For the mainstream media perspective I took a story from BBC "Chinese Milk Fears Spread in Asia" which can be found at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7631265.stmFor the consumerism presentation of the story I took a post from the "Milk Documentary Blog" which can be found at: http://blog.gotthefactsonmilk.com/2008/10/16/chinas-tainted-milk-spreads-affects-the-world.aspx?ref=rss.
The blog discusses the accepted governmental standards for chemical presence in milk and compares it to the U.S. perspective of what is acceptable.The number of deaths are reported as the same but most interestingly is the difference in reporting on the extent of the crisis. The blog sites that the milk has made over 10,000 babies sick and the BBC article says that it only made 13,000 sick.
Also interestingly the BBC article names the company that is responsible something that you would assume that consumers would want to be made known but does not get pointed out in the blog.Initially the article seems to place more blame on one particular company as opposed to a government or a wider spread problem.
Whereas the blog seems to point to a lack of standards in China as the main culprit. However later in the article the author says 22 other companies have been identified as part of the problem and the BBC article even talks about companies and countries that are pulling or testing all Chinese dairy products.Despite being explicit the article does not propose the possibility that the crisis was the result of intentional conduct.
The blog mentions this and how the chemical is used in milk in order falsify quality standards.Finally, the article takes the time to mention parents and their concerns for their children which is more likely to have an impact on every day readers but the blog invokes greater consequences of international trade implications.
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