I find it ironic that RT would be anti-American when their publication most closely resembles USA Today in style and content. RT also covers a lot of stuff that isn’t really news – more like yellow journalism. But still, something can be learned from that.

That being said, again, it is very important to check other websites for a different point of view, since they will always tell you something country-specific, rather than American-specific. I truly applaud you for recommending these, especially as a foreigner.

Here in Alberta there’s a fellow named Ezra Levant. He did a news article on the political cartoon about a Muslim that appeared in a Dutch newspaper. Just for reporting on it, and reprinting the cartoon, Ezra was dragged in by Alberta’s Human Rights Commission. Although he won, he lost his news magazine, the Western Standard. Search YouTube for Ezra Levant for an eye-opener on the state of free speech in Canada – supposedly one of the most progressive countries in the world.

Not insulted at all! I’m in Canada, so maybe it’s the Canadian news not covering it so well. I also wrote the article in the middle of last week. Of course – after I submitted it, I heard a lot of the news stories on the radio as well. But I did read it first on these other sites.

Not to sound insulting but everything you’ve mentioned that you feel you learned only on these sites has all been in the regular mainstream news and websites. No revelations there. However news sites in other countries can be valuable for learning about issues going on in those places that might not be big enough news to make international headlines.

To protect the integrity of VOA programming and define the organization’s mission, the VOA Charter was drafted in 1960 and later signed into law on July 12, 1976, by President Gerald Ford. It reads:

The long-range interests of the United States are served by communicating directly with the peoples of the world by radio. To be effective, the Voice of America must win the attention and respect of listeners. These principles will therefore govern Voice of America (VOA) broadcasts:

1. VOA will serve as a consistently reliable and authoritative source of news. VOA news will be accurate, objective, and comprehensive.

2. VOA will represent America, not any single segment of American society, and will therefore present a balanced and comprehensive projection of significant American thought and institutions.

3. VOA will present the policies of the United States clearly and effectively, and will also present responsible discussions and opinion on these policies.
(Public Law 94-350)

For more information on the Charter, visit our VOA history page about the 1960s and 1970s.

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/

Oh, and as for the gratuitous Fox News bash: http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2009Apr14/0,4670,TECCubaTelecoms,00.html

But I would like to point out that even I don’t read any news paper and neither care too much bout US happenings, the TEA parties and Cuba issue have ubiquitous mentions in mainstream medias, too obvious for me to ignore. Faux news ’sponsors’ the TEA parties while you can see CNN and others bashing the ideas.