BBC: ‘air pollution’, IOL: ‘hope and happiness’: two faces of Diwali
Both BBC World (UK) and IOL (South Africa) cover Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights. BBC looks at celebrations in India amid pollution concerns, while IOL focuses on what the festival personally means to people it spoke to.
What Western media report
BBC World (UK) reports that millions across India are marking Diwali with lamps and lights, prayers, family gatherings and sweets. It says air pollution in Delhi has reached such hazardous levels that this is the most polluted Diwali in a decade, and that new measures do not appear to have worked. It adds that India's Supreme Court permitted certified "green" firecrackers for a limited period, said to produce 20–30% fewer emissions, though critics question their effectiveness.
What media from these countries report: South Africa
IOL (South Africa, a private news portal) relays accounts from young and old people in its community about what Diwali means to them. They describe it as a celebration of hope, family, faith and the victory of good over evil, with baking, new traditional outfits, diyas and fireworks. Fireworks are mentioned only positively, as "beautiful colours and excitement"; pollution is not mentioned.
Differences
- BBC (UK) foregrounds air pollution and the firecracker dispute; IOL (South Africa) does not mention them.
- BBC gives a general overview of celebrations in India including an official measure (the Supreme Court ruling); IOL offers personal testimonies from community members.
- Fireworks are a source of concern for BBC but a favourite part of the celebration for IOL.
Where they agree
- Both describe Diwali as the festival of lights and the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil.
- Both mention the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya, diyas, family gatherings and sweets.
Sources: read the originals
- Diwali
- India
- South Africa
- air pollution
- festival of lights
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