Monday, November 21, 2011

Japan Considers Banning Cesium Tainted Rice From Fukushima


There is an interesting contradiction in stories about radiation contaminated rice. Compare this story from Asahi dated 11/20 with the story appearing in the Thai Press Reports the next day:

Rice from 4 Onami farms within safety limits. Nov 20. Asahi http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201111190285.html

"ONAMI, Fukushima Prefecture--Checks for radioactive cesium at more than 150 rice farms in the Onami district of Fukushima city have so far turned up four where levels are at zero or significantly below the national safety standard, officials said Nov. 18

COMPARE ASAHI'S STORY WITH ONE APPEARING IN THE THAI PRESS THE NEXT DAY

JAPAN JAPAN MULLING BANNING CESIUM-TAINTED RICE SHIPMENTS FROM FUKUSHIMA Thai Press Reports November 21, 2011 Monday

"The Japanese government is considering banning shipments of cesium-contaminated rice from the Onami area in the city of Fukushima that was affected by the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura said Thursday. 

"We're considering restricting shipments of rice harvested in the Onami area in the city of Fukushima...and we'll draw a conclusion swiftly," Fujimura, the government's top spokesman, said at a press conference. 

Excessive levels of radioactive cesium were found Wednesday in rice harvested in the area, the first time such levels of the isotope have been detected in the national staple since the crisis erupted at the Fukushima nuclear power station, crippled by the devastating March 11 earthquake and tsunami. - PNA

MAJIA HERE: NOTICE HOW THE JAPANESE PRESS, ASAHI,FRAMES THE STORY IN SUCH A WAY THAT THE READER IS LED TO INFER THAT THE MAJORITY OF FUKUSHIMA RICE MUST BE OK BECAUSE THE STORY HIGHLIGHTS THE "SAFE" RICE FROM 4 FARMS.


IN CONTRAST, THE THAI PRESS REPORTS STORY HIGHLIGHTS THE PROPOSED RESTRICTING OF RICE FROM THE ENTIRE AREA BECAUSE OF "EXCESSIVE" CONTAMINATION.

The Asahi story illustrates how the press can deceive and mislead without actually lying.

Also note that the Japanese have yet to make a decision on the proposed restrictions.


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