Miss Kolka

Hitler, Mussolini, Bin laden, Saddam.... and now Fritzl.

A name not difficult to remember. Especially if you work at a news channel. I think its because of the Z.

The day the news broke to the media, with alot less details than we now have of course, I was at work. I remember thinking "intriguing case, but with no pictures, should we mention it anyway? Is it newsworthy enough or simply an incest case among others?"

We decided to run the story anyway, and after seeing the reaction the story triggered all around me, I understood that it was important to talk about it. And then we got the details. A story so terrible that it is worse than any horror movie. A story that struck a cord with viewers, perhaps because it went beyond the worst imaginable things and touches upon the ultimate fear we all have, being locked up - in a windowless cellar and on top of that being tortured every day - for 24 years and by your own father!

However, I still think we should pause and think about how ready we are to reveal the most horrendous details and wonder if stolen pictures of the children of the Fritzl family, especially those hidden in the basement for so long should be shown to the world (these will eventually be caught on tape by the press waiting outside the psychiatric hospital of course). Should these images be broadcasted on all television channels 24/7, and be all over the news stands to become iconic forever? (like the twin towers, Saddam's execution, Tiananmen square? All these though had an important POLITICAL meaning) In this case we are dealing with human beings - and there is even more reason to protect their privacy after what they have been through. Of course, in terms of information is necessary to explain how this was possible, and also to study the effects this kind of treatment can have on people - But do we have to bear it all? Some will no doubt go into as much details as they can but I hope I wont be on duty when it comes to making the call at my channel. I am almost positive that whatever comes in - it will run because the competition is running it and because the audience wants it (well people also go to public executions in some countries, does that make it right?). However we might be opposed to it. I am almost positive our channel will make no difference, but I still have a tiny brand of hope.

I have been hearing about the meltdown of the Icelandic economy for a while now but everytime I ask someone who lives in Iceland or is Icelandic it never seems to worry them somehow. When a fellow journalist at my job asked me about contacts in Iceland to interview for a story I realised that no one really wanted to comment on this "slump" in the one once believed to be the fastest growing economy in the world. That it was not being seen as problematic by Icelanders themselves. Except that now they are starting to feel the heat of the soaring food prices, witnessing protests due to high oil cost (The word "protest" not existing in icelandic vocabulary for so many years) and panic is also being felt on the housing market. My own uncle - a real estate mogul even considering choosing another field - NOONE is selling or Buying. The Icelandic króna has always been a fluctuating currency but this time it seems different, What ever the "buzz" on the Island's tiny financial market.

By reading an article in the newyorker I finally understood. In the past, when people asked me about Iceland being one the richest countries in the world, I always had some scepticism of my own. What money? I certainly was not seeing alot of it despite having worked since the age of 14 - paying very high taxes and spending money I didn't have to make the best I could (the banks were so eager to lend me all that money as well) Avarage people there are not rich (there's no oil or gold in the ground) but we sure pretend to be. By borrowing money. Iceland has always lived on credit. And now its coming back to haunt us. The Icelandic economy relying so heavily on foreign investment (like other economies as well though) and since there is a global credit crunch on world markets, its affecting the Icelandic economy. All this because a few people predicted some down periods or that there might be an oil shortage in the near future - investors get weary - and it becomes more difficult to find funds to borrow money from. Could Iceland really become the first national casualty of the market crisis? All this due to the small size of the country and lack of resources? Prices continue to rise around the world you might be thinking but I always laugh when people complain of how expensive the "baguette" is becoming in France. "It costs around 1, 10 euro!itz Scandaleuz..."

How can you compare that with prices in Iceland?

Is it even possible to raise the price of chicken? - Two chicken breast already cost around 20-25 euros!!

No one probably knows where this is heading but Im sure glad that Im out of the credit loop and that I've closed down my Icelandic Visa card. Only have to pay my student loans now..

well for the next 60 years though...What a mess we're in.

Note to self: Remember to play the Lottery

...of the old educational system in France.

I have been watching a show on France 3 (Oh, I do watch something else than CNN? What a surprise!) on the French university and how it is crumbling in comparison to other European institutions. A young student leader goes straight to the point: In France, young people do not exist, they are not recognised in the society (they can not receive unemployment benefits if they are under 25 for example) and only 26% of French youngsters believes they can chose their own future. Only 26 % thinks the future is bright. And they haven't even experienced the workplace yet! In comparison - in Denmark 60% believes in a bright future. The numbers say it all.

All this when high school students have been marching in the streets in support of their teachers three weeks in a row now. The government wants to reform the system - And get rid of too many teachers in schools. However, every time a French government has tried to reform this mess, they've had to back down against a big crowd of angry youth. What can be done? What solution is there? Is this really wise when we are just about to "celebrate" the 40th anniversary of May'68?

If they think like the head of La Sorbonne that does not believe in joint management - that only directors are fit to take decisions then nothing will change. If you don't give responsibility to people when they're old enough to have a family and higher education WHEN will you do it? A one way discussion will certainly never get anywhere. But hey, isn't it the Sarkozy way?

Ridiculous!

Its the only way to describe the Olympic torch relay in Paris this afternoon. We went with my ever so authority-allergic father to watch the torch go by a bridge in the neighborhood. For over an hour the nervous and enormous police presence did everything to block traffic, pedestrians and others from going their way. We waited and waited.. amongst hundreds of police cars and some ridiculous red coca cola vehicles with teenagers on them "in partnership with the Olympic games" that passed by where the flame should later follow. And still no torch. A small crowd could be seen on the other side of the bridge, making noises and waving something that resembled flags with something written on them. Probably pro-Tibetan protesters. And all this before a tiny bit of an sport athlete could be spotted, even in a distance. One person taken into a car by police, another one clearly handcuffed. Then finally - there seemed to be some action in the air (at least 3 helicopter flying back in forth came nearer to our spot, there was snow, and then rain) and then alot of jogging security forces. Ah.. hold on, I think I might have seen something... no did I? Yes, between the 8 vans and trailed by at bus, there was a guy running, with something in his hand.. I wonder if it was the torch - it was white and red - for the 3 seconds I saw it appear before being hidden again by police. Oh and yes, the flame was out. Apparently for "technical reasons" I later heard on the news. Sure. All around me questions: "Has it gone by yet? Is it over? Was it the flame? Did you see anything?".

What a ridiculous event. Why even bother going through the city? The trail is now well over an hour late due to all the protesters evenly dispersed around Paris. Spear us the shame and send it back to where it came from. This summer's games in Beijing are bound to be fun.

 P.s. Its not my dad who got arrested... thought I should make that clear!

It was two minutes to midnight when I arrived into the control room for my last bulletin last night. The day hadn't been great, technical problems, some members of the team were a bit sleepy and it was a busy news day. But this was my last contribution at France 24 before going home and getting finally my two days off.

So I arrive, and the normally very busy room is totally empty, and creepingly quite. I look at the clock, 23.58.00... Screens were swithced off and the output editor who normally never leaves his post is not even there. Then I look onto the main screen and what do I see... two big fishes...and THEN I get it.. its two minutes to the 1st OF APRIL... but still at around 58'30 I become a bit nervous .. and then the technical team finally decides to show up - "Poisson d'avril hahahaha!"

Apparently people love to make others freak out.

We managed to get through the bulletin perfectly and I went home smiling.

p.s. you would think that some people wouldn't be tricked twice.. but I was so stupidly surprised when I saw that the main news website in Island was opening a movie site where you could download alot of exiting films FOR FREE.. I should have reacted when it said that it was free only for today... silly me.

• How much is enough? | 09-05-2008
• Where is Iceland's money coming from? | 06-05-2008
• There's no way out | 19-04-2008
• Sendi it back to China | 07-04-2008
• Poisson d'avril | 01-04-2008
• Wish I was | 30-03-2008
• lesser of two evils | 27-03-2008
• in my head | 25-03-2008
• Where are all the drugs going? | 11-03-2008
• Why is she so controversial? | 07-03-2008
• Presidential obsession | 14-02-2008
• All we can do is wait | 14-01-2008
• The stupidity of the French President (read to the bottom for it to make sense) | 08-01-2008
• S.O.S. | 30-12-2007
• In memoriam | 27-12-2007