Visit Your Local PBS Station PBS Home PBS Home Programs A-Z TV Schedules Watch Video Support PBS Shop PBS Search PBS
       
the Online NewsHour The Web site of the NewsHour with Jim Lehrer
E-mail This Page   Print This Page  
the Online NewsHour EXTRANews for Students AND Teacher Resources MAIN: ONLINE NEWSHOUR
7 - 12 grade level
SEARCH
ALL OR STUDENT VOICES LESSON PLANS VIDEO GO
Main: NewsHour ExtraU.S.WorldScienceHealthArts/MediaStudent VoicesTeacher Center
NewsHour Teacher Center Blog
June 13, 2008

VIDEO SUMMARY: play NewsHour video In this video, four reporters from different countries describe how America’s presidential primaries and now the general election are perceived by people around the world. While there is considerable interest in the possibility of Barack Obama becoming America’s first African American president, there are also questions about his stance on terrorism in the Middle East and knowledge of foreign affairs. John McCain, while more well known and admired for his military service, faces questions about his perceived support of the generally unpopular current administration.

SELECTED QUOTES:

“The Europeans like those stories, and they like personalized stories, and I think they look at Barack Obama like a love story, you know? They think of him as a black Kennedy, a dynamic figure, friendly figure.” - Martin Klingst, Germany’s Die Zeit Weekly Newspaper

“The excitement is huge. For Africans in general, this is one of their own. So they see a son of Africa who finally gets a chance.” - Mvemba Dizolele, Freelance Journalist from the Democratic Republic of Congo

“As far as Obama, some people are saying, well, there’s a perception that he may not be tough enough. And they wonder, will he have the steel and the depth and determination of Abe Lincoln or is he going to be sanctimonious like Jimmy Carter?” - Hisham Melhem, Al Arabiya, a Middle East satellite news channel

“McCain is, as our previous speakers said, I think McCain is a known character and he’s known as being very tough on security policy, so the Chinese ought to be concerned about McCain’s tough line on security policy.” – Nayan Chanda, YaleGlobal Online Magazine

WARM UP QUESTIONS:

How do you think countries around the world view the contest between Barack Obama and John McCain? What might influence a country’s opinion of the United States? (Trade, military partnerships, historical friendships or conflicts?)

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

What was surprising in this video? Did anyone say anything you didn’t expect? Which speaker, if any, did you most identify with, why? Do you think everyone in a country feels the same way about the United States? What might make one Italian view America differently than his or her neighbor? What other countries would you like to hear from? Look up papers from different countries online and do a search for Obama and McCain.

RESOURCES:
Transcript of this discussion
Newseum’s link to newspapers around the world

Author

Comments

Post a Comment:
(If you haven't left a comment here before, you need to be approved by Brian before your comment will appear. Until then, it won't appear on the entry. Thanks for waiting.)
Name: (required, pseudonym ok)
Email address: (required, will not be published)
Comment:

Recent Lesson Plans
Recent Comments
Web Resources
Recently Added:
What is this?
Teacher to Teacher
Share your teaching experiences: What works, what didn't, what's needed?
What is this?
Previous EntriesTOPICS
Video Clips
What is this?
Blog Jam
National Public Radio
From Education Stories
5/2/08 updated daily
What is this?
The Online NewsHour
FRIDAY'S PROGRAM
Cervical Cancer Guidelines
News Wrap
Screening Debate
University Fee Hike
Shields and Gerson
Oprah's Long Goodbye
Life After Oprah
Caring for Veterans
The Online NewsHour, an hour-long daily news broadcast
Check your Local Listings