Breaking News...

Who determines the worth of a news report?

Last week (April 13-19, 2014) we learned of two heinous events; one was an unfortunate accident, the other was a planned act of terrorism. Both included hundreds of human lives; but for the sake of this post let's not call them human, let's call them what they are, "God-image-bearers."

This first tragedy is the well known and horribly sad tale of the ferry accident that happened in South Korean waters. Over 200 God-image-bearers are feared to be dead, at this point. Parents were shown grieving and mourning as they looked at the overturned boat turned casket that, more than likely, held the bodies of their beloved children. 

I learned of this when the shining bright red and bold words, "BREAKING NEWS," flashed across my TV screen. 

The second tragedy is not well known. A school in Nigeria (the place of my birth) was a target of terrorism. Over 200 female God-image-bearers were kidnapped. It is assumed that they will be forced into slavery, brutally raped, then either killed or released. 

I learned of this horrific event when I received a text message from my wife. When I got home and checked for a story it wasn't breaking news it was just another item on the news ticker. 

I say again, the news that over 200 female God-image-bearing children were kidnapped was only news ticker worthy. The same one that carries the score to baseball games and the weekly forecast. 

Why was the 1st incident worthy of BREAKING NEWS and the other unworthy? How is that decision made? Who makes it? 

Why doesn't hearing the name "Boko Haram" elicit anger like "Nazi, Ku Klux Klan, or Westboro Baptist Church?" This group has killed over 3000 God-image-bearers in the first quarter of this year. But most of you haven't even heard of them. Why is that? 

Is it because they are Africans? Is it because we have labeled Nigeria as corrupt, and thus unworthy? Is it because they are black? Is it because there is so much unfiltered violence in the motherland that we regard it as just another bad day? 

I wonder.