Radio Nepal news editor Shyam Rai writes that the Nepali media covered the disaster in Japan from the very beginning. The first reason for this is that the incident itself was huge and newsworthy.

The second reason is that sometimes even small incidents taking place in Japan (which might not get space in other countries’ media) are reported by Nepali media because Japan is one of Nepal’s major donor countries and contributes greatly to its development.

At first the media focused primarily on casualties and losses caused by the earthquake and tsunami. Some broadsheet newspapers and radio stations carried the incident on the front page and as a top story respectively whereas some included it in their international segments.

All of them focused on casualties and the destruction followed by damages caused to the nuclear reactors in Fukushima.

Local media rely on international networks

Over the following few days, the media still filed news reports with focus on casualties followed by rescue efforts, the fate of Nepalese living there, etc. Almost all the print media published the photos of devastation. Gradually the news focus shifted to the nuclear catastrophe (efforts being carried out to stop the nuclear reactor from explosion and radiation leakage) and the effects of radiation (food and vegetables being contaminated).

Rai writes, “I am sure that their focus synchronized with the focus of international media like BBC, DW, CNN and Kyodo in this particular case because none of the media houses has correspondents based in Japan. Only few of them had contact with Nepalese migrant workers there and quoted them in the news solely about their conditions and safety.”

On the part of the audience, only few people in urban areas are following the event on the Internet. The majority of people relies on local media. 

Rai says that, “If we talk as to what part of the events unfolding in Japan touches the people in Nepal the most is, no doubt, the damage caused by the earthquake because Nepal is in highly earthquake-prone zone."

"Some experts say if an earthquake of equal magnitude that hit Japan happens to rock this country, there would be overwhelming damage. They say 90 percent of houses would collapse thereby killing thousands of people because houses in Nepal have not met safety measures. They warn that the country has no capacity to cope with such a disaster. They also claim that hospital, army and police buildings would collapse, which means people would surely die in the absence of rescue following the disaster.”

Former DW-AKADEMIE trainee Rai reports that many people in Nepal are generally not well-informed about nuclear catastrophe and tsunamis. “Ours is a land-locked country and as a result we haven’t experienced any effects of a tsunami and we do not have any nuclear reactors for power generation. We have only hydroelectricity.” Due to this, he says, the Nepalese media focused primarily on the earthquake as opposed to Japan's other two related disasters.

By Permadi Kencono Wulan

From Indonesia former DW-AKADEMIE trainee Permadi Kencono Wulan writes that almost all of the country’s media have been covering the events in Japan from the moments they began. Focus has been on memories of the tsunami that happened in Indonesia, the strength and fortitude of the Japanese people, the impact of the damaged nuclear reactors and on Indonesian eyewitnesses who had been living in Japan, alongside interviews with celebrities who have lived there.

News also stirred about Japanese adult film star Miyabi who had gone missing after the tsunami. Much news space in Indonesia was devoted to coverage of the evacuation and the impact of the nuclear reactors at Fukushima.

The impact of an exploding nuclear reactor

Permadi, who is head of new media at RRI Indonesia, highlighted early reports by Indonesia’s Metro TV on the impact of a nuclear reactor that exploded and the possibility of radiation. It communicated how this concerns the world community at large and Indonesia in particular because of the effects of radiation that might spread due to wind, sea water, birds and migrating fish.

Although the network noted the speculative nature of such assumptions they were enough to provoke comments on Facebook and Twitter by people worried about radiation.

The public response also impacted debate about government plans to build nuclear power plants in Indonesia. A growing majority of the people reject this development because it fears unforeseen consequences similar to those in Japan.

Living testimony to the tsunami in Sendai, Japan

An Indonesian television broadcaster featured an interview with an Indonesian worker living in the city of Sendai who immediately upon hearing the news of the earthquake rushed 22 kilometers to an apartment where her son was located. She was very worried about her son, who fortunately survived and was immediately brought to safety. Yet the interview partner gave touching testimony about the loss she felt as a teacher and the memories of the elementary school children she instructed, also expressing concern for friends thought to be lost and to date could not be contacted. Many scattered from offices and workplaces when the earthquake hit and have not been heard from since.

Adult film star Maria “Myabi” Ozawa lost post-tsunami

Permadi writes that in the Indonesian coverage of the Japan quake and tsunami focus was also on the fate of actress Maria Ozawa, also known as Miyabi, whose whereabouts were unknown after the multiple disasters. An Indonesian film producer who worked with Miyabi was still unable to contact her.

“I haven’t been able to contact her management,” said Ody Mulya, producer at Maxima Pictures, “I continue to SMS. To be honest I was very worried.” The 25-year-old actress had been contracted to perform in two new Maxima films. She was scheduled to be filming this summer “so I’ve been praying a lot and hope nothing has happened to Miyabi,” Ody said.

Excerpts from public opinion

Permadi filed the following excerpts of public opinion:

“Again, we can learn from this incident. Even if [Indonesia remains] fixed on the desire to build a nuclear reactor, surely it must to choose the safest place from disasters, especially earthquakes. There is a variety of economic considerations, but one must also consider where the waste will be disposed.”

“Japanese society is considered a culture of discipline where honesty is high. This was reflected in the way they faced disaster.”

“The earthquake did not shake Japanese discipline. They're still lining up in an orderly manner to obtain the quake aid rations. Prices in Tokyo are still stable, unlike the experience of the earthquake in Yogyakarta in 2006 when the price of a box of instant noodles increased three-fold.”

Posted on Facebook:

“[We can] learn from Japan as a country that is located along tectonic plates.  Indonesia is also at high risk for earthquakes, and if the country continues to build a nuclear reactor center, then there is a massive threat to people’s lives. Imagine what would have happened had there been a nuclear reactor in Aceh when the earthquake and tsunami happened. We should certainly be innovative, but have to be smart. So REJECT NUCLEAR.”

– Eko Wahyuanto, journalist, News Centre RRI

“We must learn from the community and the Japanese government in dealing with earthquake and tsunami disasters.”

– Putra sang Fajar, journalist, RRI Bogor

Contributed by Permadi Kencono Wulan

Photo credits:

screenshot Metro TV "Earthquake and Tsunami Japan" by Permadi Kencono Wulan

Miyabi filming 'Land of Ghosts Driver' courtesy of Maxima Pictures

By Raksmey Meas

Raksmey Meas, assistant lecturer at the Department of Media and Communication at the Royal University of Phnom Penh, reports that Japan’s catastrophe involving the recent earthquake and subsequent tsunami has yet again taken center stage in the world media’s attention.

Particularly in Cambodia, news related to Japan and its disaster racked up on front pages for more than a week following the initial shock on March 11^th.

Regarding the focus of Cambodian media on this tragedy, news angles seem to be anything on the updates of the situation – death toll, possible nuclear explosion and rescue efforts, etc.

Cambodian issues still more pressing

Despite appearing regularly on news pages and programs, it is apparent that Cambodian media do not treat this tragedy as anything more than one nation’s disaster. This may be due to the on-going affair that Cambodia is having with Thailand over the border dispute, says Raksmey.

Social media for world events

“However, there are those who take the stories to heart. These often are younger people with more active participation in any kind of national and world event. They use new media and its applications to retrieve news and spread messages on Japan’s events.

Facebook is yet again the tool of choice for these people to express their condolences and call for support for Japan. There are also those who use Twitter to get updates of the event from major newspaper and media outlets."

“With news related to Japan appearing every day,” says Raksmey, “Cambodian media have been showing their interest and effort to report more on world events despite their apparent challenges in both skills and resources."

Photo credits: Raksmey Meas

Recent events in Japan shocked the world. The magnitude 9.0 earthquake that hit on March 11^th and the tsunami and nuclear disaster it triggered have been top developing stories for media everywhere. But the focus and style of reporting differ from one country or region to the next.

Lee W., a former DW-AKADEMIE trainee from Beijing notes that the massive destruction in Japan was a top story on every website in China. Micro-blogs have become a very popular source of information for the Chinese, especially the younger generation. “It’s changing China by invading the heart of the young,” says Lee. To see an example go to www.sina.com.cn, and log in to become a member of a micro-blog.

Initially the Chinese media were primarily concerned with Japan’s rescue efforts which appeared to be well-organized. Attention was given to the quality of urban buildings and how they seemed to be better than those in China. The Chinese media reported on the orderliness of the post-quake society. But as time passed and images of rural areas were later released, the Chinese noted inefficient efforts for people who desperately need food and water. “Many only have an apple for an entire day.” Then there were the problems with the nuclear plant’s reactors, evacuation efforts that were not time-efficient and news not issued on time which triggered some criticism.

Public fear of nuclear radiation

Now the Chinese media have turned much of their attention to the nuclear crisis. According to Lee that’s because the government has huge plans to build nuclear power plants which have aroused deep public concern. “Our state council has now ceased the construction of the ongoing nuclear plant program and stopped authorizing new ones.”

The fear of radiation surpasses many other issues, so much so that ordinary people have been duped by speculators who released underground rumors that salt helps prevent the effects of radiation. “Today the salt in many Chinese cities is sold-out, forcing the government to come forth to comfort the people.” It’s a pity, says Lee, that people are paying money for something that will be of no use and only benefits the speculators, but it’s also understandable because poor people often have only themselves to rely on and this was at least something they could do that gave them some peace of mind.

Contributed by Lee W. in Beijing, edited by Deborah Friedman