image: Ryusaku Tanaka Journal
This is a simple and to-the-point commentary. Media strategies will help make the Ukraine people choose this old lady, who had plastic surgery, as president. They will choose a way that makes them unhappy. It is the same as in Japan.
Masatoshi Takeshita
March 30, 2014
English translation of a Japanese article: Ryusaku Tanaka Journal – March 30, 2014 –
[Kiev」President-Elect “Gas Princess” is “Media Princess”
The photo of Tymoshenko posted at various bus stops is a cover of a magazine.
It reveals some of media control.
= In Kiev, Photograph: this writer=
It is former President Yulia Tymoshenko who is seen as safe candidate in presidential elections in Ukraine slated for May. She appeared in public at night on February 24 when President Yanukovych was ousted.
She made a lowbrow, fiery speech, saying “Fuck you,Yanukovych!” in Maidan (or Independence Square). Western media introduced her as a tragic heroine. Japan’s media have lionized her as a “too beautiful leader.”
Why is she a sure candidate in presidential elections? It is because she is “well accepted” by Russia, too. She has business partners in European countries and has formed an alliance with President Putin in a natural gas deal. The U.S. patronizes “Our Ukraine,” a political party Ms. Tymoshenko serves as president.
There is another bigger reason: mass media. Members of “Our Ukraine” led by her are owners of media including TV stations. Therefore, Ms. Tymoshenko makes headline news.
One university professor said in disgust: “Tymoshenko is never good for the public.” (He talked as if he spitted to the ground.)
This is a photo of a town of palatial mansions, with a row of luxurious houses of
Ukrainian rich people and famous soccer players, where former President Tymoshenko lives.
It was taken from the opposite shore of a lake
because access to the town was not available due to tight security
= In the suburb of Kiev Photograph: this writer=
In 2011, Ms. Tymoshenko got a prison sentence on a charge of misconduct in office. Natural gas which Russia provided at 250 dollars per 1,000 cubic meters was 350 dollars when Ukrainian consumers got it. One hundred dollars per 100 cubic meters reportedly went into her pocket.
This is why she is made a mock of as “Gas Princess.” It is really unforgivable for common people.
Ms. Tymoshenko had held 60 percent of the shares of a statutory gas company before she got a prison sentence. This is “different” from “allowance” constituting half of the national budget, which can be used by influential politicians.
Politicians in Ukraine are big shareholders of statutory companies in some cases. They assume central posts in national projects and monopolize gigantic vested interests. This is the system in which politicians plunder the people’s wealth. Tymoshenko is also a constituent member of the system.
If she becomes a pawn and controls the mass media, she will be able to win the election and move an economy as she likes. Isn’t it the same as in a certain country in East Asia?
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