/////////////////////////////Role of social media in political uprisings
Assignment 3
Essay Paper
Students are required to write a 1000-word essay on one of the media topics listed below.
The essay must have a research question or thesis, demonstrate in-depth analysis, and
provide evidence for all arguments.
At least four (4) scholarly or reliable sources must be used to support the paper’s arguments.
All sources must be properly cited using in-text citations, and a bibliography (MLA or AP
format) must be included on a separate page.
Step 1: Choose a topic and write at least 2 research questions or thesis statements.
Discuss them with your instructor.
Step 2: Research the topic and submit bibliography to instructor.
Step 3: Final submission to BBLearn.
Possible topics:
1. Role of social media in political uprisings
2. Media censorship in the UAE, the USA, the UK, Egypt, or another country you are
interested in researching
3. Media ethics
4. Reporting on war zones
5. Reporting on human rights issues
6. Reporting on global issues
7. Reporting on political campaigns
Solution
Introduction
Poverty has been observed to be one of major global issues affecting developing
countries around the globe. Poverty is measured differently and is caused by different factors that
cripple the economy of different nations making it fluctuate. The paper will tend to explain
poverty in a country as explained by two different articles from different continents. The analysis
will be on how the articles bring out the research problem and the comparison and contrast of the
research topic. The research topic is poverty in Madagascar and the article considered for the
research problem are New York Times and BBC News Africa.
Brief Overview of Article Content
On 16 th March 2016 Sewell Chan postedd an article titled ‘Denmark Ranks as Happiest
Country; Burundi not so much.’ The article was a detailed report on the happiest and unhappiest
nations in the world where Denmark emerged to be the best. Among the least unhappy nations
were Madagascar and one of the reasons that attributed to the unhappiness of in the nation was
poverty caused by political instability and diseases (Chan 1). BBC News on the other hand
created a full overview on Madagascar on 10 th January 2016. In the overview, the researchers and
authors of the text have explained the occurrences that have made poverty prevalent in the
country and the factors that continue to cripple the nation’s economy making its inhabitants
suffer (BBC News 1 1).
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Madagascar has rare wildlife which if conserved efficiently can be a major boost to the
tourist sectors in the country which can play a role in developing the country. However, demand
for farming land by the natives has led to the destruction of forest since the locals attempt to
increase food production. Political instability in the country has played a major role in elevating
poverty in the state since political issues have made Madagascar be abandoned by the
international community where the country could benefit especially financially through
donations and grants. Andry Rajoelina rise into power in 2009 led to economic downfall of the
state to untold levels. His counterpart Hery Rajaonarimampianina who rose to power in 2014 too
did not make any significant impact thus calling for impeachment which made the local fear
would return the country into a state of constitutional uncertainty like it had been before (BBC
News 2 1).
Analysis of the Two Articles
Analysis of the two accounts brings out one major similarity. The similarity distinguished
is that political instability contributes greatly in increasing poverty in a nation as it hinders
development in a great way. Political instability creates insecurity which is not healthy for any
investment since local and foreign investors fear losing their property through theft, fires,
destruction among other ways which are common during that time. The International community
for example placed sanctions on the state in an attempt to discipline the leaders to no avail. Such
actions make many innocent people suffer since majority of the people live on less than $2 a day.
Lack of international support makes access to some essential services expensive; services such as
quality healthcare and medicine (BBC News 1 1).
Sewell Chan brings out other factors that are common in poor countries that when
addressed effectively, can boost the economy of the state raising the standards of living of the
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people. The factors seem to be reinforcing the content of the BBC News authors. Sewell says
that unemployment, increased corruption cases and lack of mistrust are the major hindrances to a
country’s growth thus implying why the inhabitants of poor nations are unhappy since they
usually have an uncertain future. Sewell further asserts that a weak institutional structure like the
one found in Madagascar causes untold damage to the underlying social fabric since in most
instances crises are left unresolved because of the blame game and strife that ensues (Chan 1).
Co-operation to resolve issues is rare thus widening the gap between the rich and the poor.
Both articles have given clear accounts on poverty in Madagascar. Though the articles
were on different topics, they had some similarities that were drawn and aided in shaping the
research problem. Sewell focused more on bringing out the factors that cause unhappiness
among the citizens of a nation. It appeared that the same factors that cause unhappiness among
the citizens are the same factors that elevate poverty in a country like Madagascar. Issues such
poor leadership cause untold suffering to the citizens since like in Madagascar, international
sanctions were placed on the nation because of its weak institutional structure (BBC News 2 1).
This in turn makes the citizens to suffer as it raises the cost of living. Political instability scares
away investors who have the potential of boosting the country’s economy but they fear because
of the security of their stock and even employees. The content of the articles is meant for any
audience and the use of language is clear thus enhancing the understanding of the reader.
One striking feature that the authors of the BBC news article exposed was the natural
factors that contribute to poverty in Madagascar. Madagascar is prone to tropical cyclones,
which in turn bring torrential rains and destructive floods that leave thousands of individuals
homeless. A country with a weak government structure has limited capability to handle such a
calamity meaning the natives suffer a lot since the support they receive is limited especially in
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such a country where international intervention is limited (McGrath 1). Exposing such atrocities
should be a lesson to other nations undergoing the same political turmoil to resolve their issues
diplomatically since it is the individual of the lowest social class who suffer most. In such a
country, individuals living below the poverty line constitute are the majority thus the necessary
actions should be taken to ease the pain felt by the inhabitants of such nations.
Conclusion
Poverty in Madagascar can be attributed mainly to poor governance since all the leaders
that people hoped would turn the economy of the nation around, crippled it because of the
different reasons one of them being selfish interests. International intervention is crucial in the
country to aid in handling some disasters like the floods caused by the torrential rains. Handling
of natural calamities is a collective task thus the nation should not be left out because of the
mistakes that happened in the past. Sewell Chan explained effectively the research topic on the
paper and gave insightful points about poverty in Madagascar. The author summarized clear
recommendations that when applied in Madagascar can aid greatly in the elimination of poverty
in the country. The BBC authors on the other hand unmasked the reason behind Madagascar
poor state giving a clear revelation of what has been transpiring. The presentation by the
different authors on poverty in Madagascar was perfect.
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Work Cited
BBC News 1 . Madagascar profile – full overview. 2016. Online. <
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-13861844>
BBC News 2 . Madagascar profile leaders- Leaders. 2016. Online. <
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-13861845>
Chan S. Denmark Ranks as Happiest Country; Burundi, Not So Much. The New York Times.
2016. Online. < http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/17/world/europe/denmark-world-
happiness-report.html>
McGrath M, Extreme weather can be the 'most important cause of poverty'. 2013. Online. <
http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-24538078>
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