Syria and Becoming Youtube.

Hi,

So this blog post will be based on a video from the 12 part YouTube series, Becoming YouTube. the series began in 2012 and the last part is due to come out soon. The series explores YouTube in a funny honest and sometimes scathing way. Becoming YouTube was created by a journalist called Benjamin Cook who was interested in the 'YouTube phenomena'. Here is the video:

   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhDtjM3I0zw&feature=c4-overview&list=UUR2scj6uM8L1x1nkYTlpFrw

I recommend watching this video before reading the post as it is the basis of what I am saying. I am also really enjoying the series so far, so here is the trailer if you want to watch it from the beginning:

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ttx1yQF2SNM

The point made in this video is that Syria is not like the charity ads and news articles on TV. It is real and not so far away. The video was involved with Oxfam, a charity who help the refugees, Oxfam help many people in poverty around the world.
The problem with Syrian news coverage and charity ads is that, as with all media coverage, it can only show a small slice of what life is like for the refugees. A charity ad only has a few minutes of film and no sound. And a news report tends to show only the 'Newsworthy' bits, the news is the most accurate representation of the Syrian people, but finding all the facts is difficult, especially in the less organised refugee camps. The Becoming YouTube episode seemed like the most full and honest report so far and with the smiling children and more organised camps it seemed to be much closer to home.
The worst part of the Syrian conflict and the part that makes charity's like Oxfam's job harder, is that ordinary people are getting caught up in the war. The refugee camps are often the only place they can go and carrying on is all they can do.

The majority of news reports are either talking about the less organised camps and the refugees in the worst trouble, or the political side of the war. Videos and pictures are being taken to show us the front line and the fighting in Syria, often with a commentary about the politics. But the ordinary people in the camps don't talk about politics they just want to be safe and go home. In meetings all over the world our leaders are discussing whether or not to intervene. But know one knows if that will help the ordinary people.

Here is the video that Benjamin Cook recommended in Becoming YouTube explaining the Syrian crisis (the political side):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exrqMPJ1Bts

And here is another video about Syria:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElRoN-uNli4

An opinion:

http://www.youtube.com/user/SyrianGirlpartisan

And more:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VERXaAy6_yw

And as usual a random news report:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-17258397

and a news which isn't mainstream:

http://www.syrianews.cc/

So my feelings are help the needy and don't fight and eat your 5 a day!

Thanks for listening
Bye!