Over the past months, the Arab Spring along with regional turmoils has been the focus of local, regional and international news. Agencies have flooded their audience with detailed reports of the circumstances of countries like Tunis, Egypt, Libya, Yemen, and Syria. Other counties unfortunately such as Bahrain or the Kingdom of Saudia Arabia have received less focus due to media shadowing of the above mention countries respectively.
The Daily Star, a daily-local Lebanese newspaper, is an example of a media outlet in the Region that provides their readers with recent updates of Arab Spring and other regional turmoils. On October 5th, 2011, on page one of The Daily Star an article published entitle Russia, China Veto Syria resolution; Lebanon abstain reports on the refusal of both Russia and China to adopt the European-U.N. Security Council resolution accusing Syria of its continuous crackdown on protestors.
The article briefly explains the justification of the European authorities in drafting the resolution. According to the French U.N. ambassador Gernard Araud; “all efforts have been made to put together a unanimous response”. In addition, the “numerous concessions” along with the veto explain the “disdain for the legitimate interests that have been fought for in Syria” added Araud. (Russia, China veto, 2011)
Moreover, the article provided information regarding the Russian-Chinese veto of the resolution as a possible threat to the respective countries foreign policy with Syria. In addition, the article overviewed Turkish’s state position on Syrian military crackdown around the region of the city of Homs, and the possible threat of the diplomatic relation between the two states. The targeting of the Turkish state on the Syrian military crackdown and exposing of sanction against Syria has little to do with the adoption of the U.N. Security Council Resolution. Although the article succeeded in answering questions concerning the adoption of the U.N resolution, it disregards answering major question such as the reasons behind the veto. (Russia, China veto, 2011)
The imaged chosen for the article is a pair of hands of a young women or man with the index and middle fingers of both hands painted with the colors of the Syrian flag. The pair of hands seemed to be raided high with palms facing out with illegible words in Arabic. Despite the fact, the picture is particular capturing, it has no connection with the headline or context of the article that talks clearly about Russia, China, Syria and Lebanon. It is understandable that Lebanon was mentioned in the title since the Daily Star is a local Lebanese newspaper but in the bulk of the article Lebanon was not a major topic covered.
It is important to emphasize a few points on the picture. First, the angle of the picture is distorted; it seems to have been cropped from a bigger picture. Second, the picture is not focused, so one cans neither see the hands and writing on the palms nor is the background visible. Lastly, the focus on the painted fingers is hazy, one cannot tell if it a Syrian or Yemeni flag.
On a personal note, this picture reflects a symbol of freedom and liberation that corresponds with the bright blue sky captured. However, the captured picture reflects the act when one raises ones hands up as a sign of surrender. Perhaps, it does reflect the choices of those who vetoed or abstained from the UN resolution of condemning the Syrian governments on its cruel acts against civilian protestors.
Part 2
A more suitable and direct title would be; Syrian resolution vetoed by Russia and China and abstained by three members.
The above image would be suitable as it shows state officials in a conference room. Some representatives are raising a hand, possibly during the voting procedure. The picture is a live image strait form the council meeting.
Even though this image has little emotion or creativity, it is formal and suitable for the occasion.
Mafrood 