I’m non-American myself but I am an Asian who immigrated to Europe. The news and social media here show the US imploding under Trump regime. My cousin immigrated to the US, but I am surprised that he doesn’t know about the wanton ICE arrests and harassment of anyone who is of foreign origin, even white foreigners and tourists. Initially, he said that “only illegals are getting arrested”, but was equally surprised or nonplussed when I told him about what is happening. Well, he’s already there, and I did tell him to be careful just in case.

Maybe I should not be surprised because news in my home country generally put the US in pedestal. Since the end of World War II, people feel like we owe the US a lot after being liberated from Japanese occupation, even though we ourselves were formerly a US colony. So, the local media tend to portray the US as a pristine and perfect society. But my compatriots residing in the US say it is overrated, depending where you are, because of rampant homelessness, no social welfare and worsening cost of living crisis. Now, that I think about it, the local media never really portrayed those about the US when I was growing up. Of course, US is still miles ahead than any given developing country in terms of standard of living, but still overrated I understand.

  • Tuukka R@piefed.eeEnglish
    1·
    6 hours ago

    It’s a bit difficult for me to say “how our news portray USA”, because this is of course in comparison to how it’s portrayed elsewhere. And I don’t really know very well how it’s portrayed elsewhere. But, here’s raw data for you to analyse. You can try to figure out what might have been news elsewhere but was not in Finland, and also, if there’s anything about USA that was news in Finland but not elsewhere. Then you can say yourself what the answer seems to be regarding Finland.

    So, firstly, within the newest 50 articles on any subject published by Yle, the national broadcasting organization of Finland, five have to do with USA. (Also, I happened to notice that the 52th article on that list is about USA as well :) )

    Then, let’s narrow the search by choosing only news with Topic:USA and go through all headlines from the last few days, starting from the most recent one:
    18th Oct:

    • Trump pressured the TV Star Jimmy Kimmel to be shelved – media company after another must yield
    • A capital investor giant from USA to invest over 100 billions to Britain
    • A shooter killed three policemen in USA
    • Trump planning to define Antifa as a terroristic organisation
    • Jimmy Kimmel’s tv program was shelved after the host commented on the murder of Charlie Kirk
    • King Charles praised Trump for engagement in solving conflicts
    • President: Syria and Israel close to a security agreement (BTW, here the “President” refers to the President of Syria)
      17th Oct:
    • Fed lowered its key rate by 0.25 percent points
    • CEOs of Reddit and other internet communities to witness at a hearing about radicalization
    • Trump’s programme in Britain began with a visit to the Windsor castle – demonstrators have gathered to London
    • A café based on the iconic Central Perk from the Friends will be opened in New York
    • The Russia is wooing USA regarding energy affairs
    • Trump: Republicans planning to exceptionally hold a party conference around the time of next year’s elections
    • Wall Street closed during a downhill, Fed’s decision on key rate is being waited for
      16th Oct:
    • Tyler Robinson sued for the murder of Charlie Kirk
    • The trial of the person accused of shooting the leader of a health insurance company, Luigi Mangiore, to begin in December
    • Belarus pardoned 25 prisoners
    • The presidential couple of USA has left for a state visit to Britain
    • USA wants Qatar to continue at the role of an intermediator regardless of Israel’s military strike
    • A video shows USA’s strike to what is said to have been a drug ship
    • Trump sues New York Times regarding news coverage on the connections with Epstein – demands 15 billion dollars
    • USA: Columbia is no longer a partner in the fight against drugs
    • The presidential couple of USA will arrive to Britain
    • Wall street closed in an uphill
    • Washington Post: The suspected shooter of Kirk confessed to the deed online
    • Trump: Netanyahu will not strike Qatar again
    • Trump signed an order for sending the national guard to Memphis
      15th Oct:
    • Trump: USA struck on a Venezuelan vessel, three died
    • Ex Federal DEA Maurene Comey sues Trump administration
    • FBI: DNA found near the location of Kirk’s murder is corresponds to the sample from the suspect
    • Trump: Foreign workers are welcome – earlier hundreds of South Koreans were apprehended
    • China and USA have reached a preliminary agreement on the ownership of TikTok
    • Officers from USA visiting Belarus – they followed the “Zapad” wargame
    • The US foreign secretary Rubio promises “unwavering support” to Israel
    • China accuses Nvidia of breaching laws on competition
    • The trade negotiations between USA and China continue in Madrid
    • Trump threatens to declare a national emergency because of the resistance in Washington
    • Elon Musk’s Starlink is reporting about a service interruption – the interruption remained short
    • The suspect of Charlie Kirk’s shooting is not coöperating with authorities
      Oct 14th:
      (etc.)

    The following articles from the last two days were not tagged with “USA”:

    • The number one start of women’s track and field thanked God for her unbeliavable win – is already better than Usain Bolt in one thing
    • Trump: Putin has betrayed me
    • Analysis: EU is hypocritical about trade with the Russia, but Trump is showing more and more weird kind of plays
    • Microsoft invested 30 billion dollars in Britain