Problem with the Hegemonic view of Piracy
By: Alexandra Sommers
5 Nov 2008
The issue of modern-day piracy has recently reached the news media cycle. Although these attacks have been taking place since the early 1990s, the news media has finally picked up on the pirate attacks. The media however has only chosen to publish information about the Somalia attacks. This is due in part to the ‘scandal’ surrounding the recent attack on MV Faina. (Somali Pirates Seize 33 Tanks) This attack made the news media because of the tanks that are aboard the ships that was hijacked. The hegemonic nature of the news media makes it difficult news to break that is not ‘scandalous’ and ‘sexy.’ The week of 10-23 to 11-02 had 7 attacks reported, one in which the ship was hijacked and the 20 crew was taken hostage. (Weekly Piracy Report) The material on board of this ship is iron ore pellets. This attack was on the same day that CNN reported that five pirate attacks had been thwarted in one day. (Five pirate attacks repelled off Somalia in one day) The pirate attack that happened that day has not been reported on by CNN. Questions to consider are what is the current view of piracy among the masses? Why is there this perception? To understand the common perception of piracy, I believe that it is necessary to look at both the news media coverage of modern-day piracy and to examine popular culture reference to piracy. One such popular cultural reference which I believe has an impact on the perceptions of the American masses is The Pirates of the Caribbean movies. The success and pervasiveness of these movies in American culture is part of the reason why we do not perceive modern-day piracy as a threat. In these movies, the conception of piracy has been romanticized. The cultural understanding of piracy is one of swashbuckling, saving the day type pirates.
Five pirate attacks repelled off Somalia in one day.
Somalia's pirates seize 33 tanks
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