Yup, ST has covered it a lot less than The Age. But I think ST’s coverage is a bit more than your estimate.

What can you expect from a press that is based on the ‘National Development’ model?

Drug smugglers are bad.
Drug smugglers must be hung.
Simple as that.

Or is it?

Gambling is bad.
Gambling must be kept away from our shores.
*Oh wait*
Vices are associated with casinos.
Drug abuse is a vice.
Drug smugglers are bad.
Drug smugglers must be hung.
Welcome, casinos!

Yes, indeed, it has been a while. Hope you’re fine in Canberra.

The Melbourne papers, I think, are up in arms - more so than papers from the other states, understandably.

Yesterday, a Melbourne journo did his bit of sabre rattling, implying that Singapore is a barbaric place and that Australians should boycott Singapore-owned companies e.g. Optus, SIA.

He should also suggest that heathen Singapore students stay at home instead of pumping millions into the Australian economy. Don’t want to taint a civilized society, do we?

Incidentally, I did read a commentrary about the Schapelle Corby-Nguyen comparison. An Australian writer, accusing the Australian press of bias. That was some time ago, I can’t remember where I read it.

Besides the damsel-in-distress angle, there are also significant differences in the geopolitical context. That factors into the quantity and quality of coverage.

———-

Yupz, I’m grateful every day for my job and my colleagues. =)

yeah, I’ve been keeping an eye on the media here regarding the Nguyen case. They’ve been a lot gentler here in their regard of Singapore’s judicial system than they were over Schapelle Corby. Lot less scathing, more respectful even.

Wondering if it has anything to do with
1. Schapelle Corby being young, white and pretty
2. Nguyen… not.

Good to know you’re loving the job and it’s been a year! Wonderful stuff. Congrats!