Did Le Monde Show Bias in Naming Assange Man of the Year?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the perceived bias of the French newspaper Le Monde in naming Julian Assange as "Man of the Year." Participants explore the implications of this designation, questioning the impartiality of Wikileaks and discussing the context of other notable figures who have received similar recognition.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Historical

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that the recognition of Assange may indicate bias, questioning whether Le Monde would have named him if he had leaked information about the French government.
  • Another participant raises the possibility that Assange may have leaked information regarding the French government as part of a broader strategy, though this remains speculative.
  • It is noted that a majority of visitors to Le Monde's website voted in favor of Assange for the honor, with 56% supporting him compared to 22% for Liu Xiaobo.
  • Some participants express that Assange's recognition could reflect a shift in public opinion, suggesting he might be viewed as a more controversial figure compared to others like Bush or Palin.
  • There is a comparison made between Assange and historically significant figures recognized by Time magazine, such as Hitler and Stalin, with a focus on the potential harm caused by these individuals.
  • Discussion includes a reference to Nixon's recognition for "opening" China, with participants debating the context and implications of such recognitions over time.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the implications of Assange being named "Man of the Year," with some questioning the bias of the selection while others highlight the public support he received. The discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing perspectives on the significance of the recognition.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference historical figures and their recognition in media, which may depend on varying interpretations of their actions and the context in which they were recognized. There are also assumptions about the motivations behind public voting and media bias that are not fully explored.

Dr Lots-o'watts
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Assange: "Man of the Year"

Wikileaks founder is named "Man of the Year" by a leading French newspaper:

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/wikileaks-founder-julian-assange-is-le-monde-newspapers-man-of-the-year/story-e6frf7jx-1225975305157

Would it have been if the had leaked information on the French government too?

The wikileaks name gives the impression that it is as impartial as wikipedia or other wiki-x's try to be but there is clear bias from my point of view.
 
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How do we know he didn't - maybe they're part of the "insurance".
 


Visitors to the newspaper's website voted in favour of Assange, with 56 per cent backing him for the honour, compared to 22 per cent for jailed Chinese dissident and Nobel Peace Prize winner Liu Xiaobo
'nuff said.
 


PF doesn't have a half-dozen threads discussing Liu Xiaobo. I guess Assange would also top the PF Person of the Year list.
 


Gokul43201 said:
PF doesn't have a half-dozen threads discussing Liu Xiaobo. I guess Assange would also top the PF Person of the Year list.

At a minimum he replaces Bush on the person least liked list - on PF (maybe)?
 


:smile:...never mind - forgot about Palin.:smile:
 


Gokul43201 said:
PF doesn't have a half-dozen threads discussing Liu Xiaobo. I guess Assange would also top the PF Person of the Year list.
Well, perhaps most damaging person of the year. Just like Time had

Hitler
Nixon
Ayatullah Khomeini
Joseph Stalin

As men of the year due to the harm and evil they caused.
 
  • #10


Evo said:
That was they year he shared with Kissinger, he was on the cover twice.
So was Stalin I see, '39 and '42, sheesh. Stalin's show trials and purges were known by then in the US media, but I don't think the murders into the millions were known. Notably TIME didn't follow suit and go with notorious in 2001 - Bin Laden; going with Giuliani instead.
 

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