- through biased British reporting

Below is an example of biased British reporting" on Africa, a most common example – a common feature even at the almighty BBC. I hear that this week the British and the Americans are giving "journalism training" in The Gambia. Once you have read the piece below, you may agree with me that balanced "journalism training" is more needed in the UK itself. Here is the story from the South Wales Echo (the italics are mine):

Aids all-clear for boy hurt in freak accident

Feb 15 2008 by Ben Glaze, South Wales Echo

A SCHOOLBOY who underwent an emergency operation in The Gambia has been given the all-clear in HIV and hepatitis tests.

Nine-year-old Kyle May-Rees was hurt when a glass door slammed on him during a luxury Christmas holiday. His family say they were offered two watches as compensation.

The Echo reported on Monday that when Kyle returned to the UK he had to undergo routine blood tests because he had been treated in an African hospital.

But doctors at Llandough Hospital, near Cardiff, yesterday told his parents Jann and Geoffrey that the results had proved negative and Kyle was disease-free.

Mrs May-Rees, 36, said: "We are absolutely delighted. Our main concern was the test results and what he could have caught out there.”

"Kyle doesn’t realise the significance, he was totally unaware of what the tests were for.

"A nine-year-old would never understand the implications but he’s very happy knowing he hasn’t got to go back to the hospital for more blood tests."

Kyle, from Peterston-super-Ely, Vale of Glamorgan, is currently on half term but returns to the village primary school on Monday.

He can only walk with crutches following the freak accident six weeks ago at the five-star Jerma Beach Resort when a gust of wind smashed the glass door shut, severing Kyle’s tendons in his legs.

But his mother is pleased with his progress and believes that within a year the sports-mad youngster will be back on the rugby pitch.

She said: "He has been progressing far better than we were told to expect. He has been using an exercise bike to try to build muscle back up.

"He has been fantastic, he has such a strong constitution and he’s a very determined boy. Kyle’s very brave and hopefully he can get back to full fitness."

He began physiotherapy at Llandough yesterday.

By,

ben.glaze@mediawales.co.uk

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