International Trade Made Simple

Analysis:

This story is a very simplistic rendering of a number of fairly complex issues, including international trade, globalization, and US foreign policy toward Latin America. FOX 17 does not give the viewer any contextual information about these issues in this piece. The segment only presents the official US government position, with President Bush being the only voice quoted. Nor does the story mention the primary reason that Bush addressed the OAS, to promote passage of the proposed Central American Free Trade Agreement. This omission is not unusual, as CAFTA has received very little coverage in the local news media.

Story:

Newsreader – President Bush and diplomats from 34 countries in Fort Lauderdale, Florida today attending the big OAS conference, the Organization of American States. It focused on everything from democracy and trade to human rights. President Bush spoke to the group about the importance of free trade across the hemisphere.

Bush – In the new Americas of the 21st century, one of the surest ways to make opportunity real for all our citizens is by opening our doors to trade. My government is pursuing this goal at all levels.

Newsreader – Mr. Bush didn’t mention countries where U.S. officials think democracy is under threat, but he said that one day even communist Cuba will be free.

Total Time: 42 seconds