John Yettaw

John Yettaw, the man who swam to Aung San Suu Kyi's home, gave his first radio interview to the BBC yesterday. Did anyone hear it? He came across as a man who was suffering from mental illness. Why did the BBC afford him such a long interview? It went on for several long minutes in the 30 minute bulletin I listened to. If he is indeed mentally ill, how exactly does one gauge the newsworthiness of his account?


Here is the podcast of the interview: http://search.bbc.co.uk/click/p/1/ds/tvradio/t/Newshour/id/17231394228231251593772832281880000/sp/4690f7776b02a80c097f0ebb1ca3b9d5/-/http%253a%252f%252fwww%252ebbc%252eco%252euk%252fiplayer%252fepisode%252fp0040vr2%252fNewshour%255f28%255f08%255f2009%252f

News item: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8228098.stm

Originally posted by FMF
John Yettaw, the man who swam to Aung San Suu Kyi's home, gave his first radio interview to the BBC yesterday. Did anyone hear it? He came across as a man who was suffering from mental illness. Why did the BBC afford him such a long interview? It went on for several long minutes in the 30 minute bulletin I listened to. If he is indeed mentally ill, how exactly d ...[text shortened]... r%255f28%255f08%255f2009%252f

News item: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8228098.stm

Originally posted by whodey
I thought they gauge the newsworthiness based upon anticipated public interest. You know, they want to be able to sell soap. In fact, are we not talking about it now?

Originally posted by FMF
Have you listened to the interview?