As a little boy I was told the most amazing stories about Africa, the deep jungles, the legends (e.g. Tarzan and the Phantom), wild animals and tribes of wild men living of the earth with little or no earthly goods. To some of us these were just stories, stories we could tell our children when we grew up. To others, they were “reality”!
Two of those men who made it their reality were Tjostolv Moland and Joshua French. Two seemingly sturdy young men from Norway. A country in which the Nobel peace price finds it home. A country that stakes its pride on being the best of the best when it comes to respect for other nations right to self-governance … preferably within the democratic realm in which we (Norway) find ourselves. Interesting to note is that Mr. French has two citizen-ships, one Norwegian (of course) and one British.
For those who have not followed the story about Moland and French, here is a short retrospect; Moland and French were based in Uganda where they supposedly were working as security agents for different firms. While in Uganda they also worked on other business ideas, such as setting up adventure games in the jungle; however, on their travels into Congo something went fatally wrong. Their driver was killed, and they were accused of murder. The case went on for several months until the military tribunal in which they were tried found them guilty and sentenced them to death for amongst other things espionage, murder and attempted murder.
This whole thing is truly a dramatic story, and something that the Norwegian press has been followed closely with several journalists on site giving daily and live reports from the trial. There has not been a day without news from the deep and murky jungles of the Democratic Republic of Congo. In fact the trial has been so debated that news about the ongoing war in Afghanistan, not to mention the ongoing rebel wars in Congo.
“A conflict that has cost more than five and a half million lives and lasted longer than World War II“
[BBC].
So, why are we so concerned about our two white boys? Well, of course they are from Norway, and they are white in black Africa. For a news organization that is a very good combination for creating a good story, and generate some cash-flow. After all, it is a finance crisis going on. Besides, there is no crime in making “good” money … it’s almost like war-profiteering.
Anyways, in their effort of covering the story of the year, the Norwegian press also makes us aware that we are at the center stage of the international press. We as a nation are in the news. Norway, Norwegians, the death penalty, the land of the Nobel peace price who is appalled by others who advocates death penalty … we are at the center of attention … or so we like to think.
A seemingly unanimous Norwegian press tells us that the international press is following the story closely, and that they have been for a long time. Names like BBC and CNN were dropped during prime time on national television as their website with the story (not stories) was used as proof of acclaimed international attention.
Then there is stupid me who occasionally reads an international newspaper just because I find it interesting to see how others (than our own self) reflect on Norway and Norwegians (famous ones that is). Call me a sucker for celebrity news or whatever … The truth is that I searched both CNN and BBC a week before Mr. French and Mr. Moland were sentenced to death, and I could not find ANYTHING about them on CNN or BBC’s website. At the time I was not really shocked as I, in my own humble opinion, thought they might have more important stories to tell … duh! Hence, I was equally shocked when some of our biggest newspapers and broadcasters could tell me that both CNN and BBC had followed the story CLOSELY! Close to nothing is more like it!
Why could I not find their stories, their in-depth interviews and analysis of the Congolese judicial system? Well, because up until their sentence was told there was no story to tell. At least not a story that our international audience had not heard before. The fact of the matter is that both CNN (1) and BBC (1,2) have created their stories; however, that was on the day and the day after the actual sentence. That totals to the amazingly large number of 3! Not to mention, their stories looked alike as if they were sprinkled with pre-chewed “facts” and “hear-says”. They were short, and to date the only stories created by two of the largest news organizations in the world!
We were calling their attention. Did they not hear the drums? Do we need to see our rough and tough Norwegian “commandos” fight for their lives and make a sequel to the “rumble in the jungle”? If only they were Americans. Then it would be a story about legends and we could create a worldwide blockbuster movie, and not just write about some numb-nuts that thought it would be a nice idea to take a stroll in the f***ing jungle!