MediaWatch - April 2006
April 2006
The handouts that feed poverty
The end of poverty will come as a result of home-grown political and economic reforms, which are already happening in many poor countries, not through external aid. The biggest hope for the world's poor nations is not Bono, but the citizens of poor nations themselves, argues William Easterly, author of "The White Man's Burden: How the West's Efforts to Aid the Rest Have Done So Much Ill and So Little Good".
Helping Nigeria help us
Africa is becoming increasingly important to U.S. economic and strategic interests, particularly as al-Qaeda is looking at some African countries as its next recruiting ground, and China continues signing deals for African oil reserves. That should provide enough incentive for a concerted effort to tackle the problems besetting Nigeria, comments this editorial.
Mothers of Nepal vanquish a killer of children
Nepal's remarkably successful measles campaign shows that the battle can be won with proper financing and national will, as well as a tested strategy for winning public trust in vaccines.
Blowback in Africa
Dispensing U.S. military aid to Chad seems like a reckless act - putting American military equipment and expertise in the hands of a desperate dictator. It also risks adding additional fuel to the Darfur conflict, writes Raffi Khatchadourian who travelled to Chad in 2005 for the International Reporting Project at the John Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies.
A European jail for Taylor
The Netherlands agreed to host Charles Taylor's trial only if another country incarcerates him if convicted. A few European countries have refused and that's disappointing given Europe's commitment to fight poverty in Africa, says this newspaper.
End Darfur carnage
The U.N. has threatened for a year to get tough in Darfur. It is past time to act, writes this newspaper.
