The Wrong News

For a long while I’ve not been a fan of The News. I hardly watch it these days. It gives a twisted version of the truth.

A number of years ago we were going to visit good friends in Iran. At the time on The “News”, the only perception of Iran came from regular images of black cloaked crowds shouting “Death to the West”. Or words to that effect. Of course people told us not to go. But we trusted our friends, and had a wonderful time, wherever we went in the country.

Which is not to say, of course, that there are not serious issues to be addressed in Iran. As there are in most countries, including ours. But, and it is a BIG BUT, in most countries, and in most places, most people are, at the very least, accommodating. And more often than not, incredibly friendly and welcoming.

We are now in Sri Lanka with the family of our new daughter-in-law. Again, because of The “News” some people were questioning our decision to go. Again, we trusted our friends.

The truth is that, despite the bad economic situation, and the completely understandable protests, we are experiencing a wonderful time, in a country that feels completely alive and vibrant. We are not experiencing the touristy, sometimes sheltered version of the country. But our experience is that people are simply getting on with life, with great verve and endeavour. The main visible issue we have seen are the queues for fuel due to shortages. Despite the long waits, that all happens peacefully and without fuss.

Of course the numbers of tourist, in a country for which tourism is an important source of income, are at a very low level. We have been thanked for coming, for goodness sake!

And our friends are very frustrated with how their lovely country is being presented back home in such a misleading way. It’s all negative.

I would suggest that a lot of the time we are getting the wrong news. And sadly, most of the time that’s not the exception. It’s the norm.