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Source: Reuters
The rise of China as an economic superpower was the most read
news story of the past decade, surpassing the Iraq War and the
attacks of September 11, according to an analysis by a US-based
media tracking group.
The Global Language Monitor, which uses an algorithm to search
printed and electronic media and the internet for trends in word
usage, said there was strong interest in the Asian powerhouse,
which is the world's third biggest economy.
"The rise of China to new economic heights has changed - and
continues to challenge - the current international order," said
Paul JJ Payack, president of the Global Language Monitor.
"It is with little surprise that its ongoing transformation has
topped all other news stories in a decade bespotted by war,
economic catastrophe, and natural disasters."
He said the list was compiled based on the number of citations over
the course of the decade on the internet, the blogosphere,
including social media, as well as the top 50,000 print and
electronic media sites.
The China story topped news about the 2003 Iraq War, the
September 11, 2001 attacks, the ensuing war on terror, and the
sudden death this year of Michael Jackson at the age of 50.
Completing the top 10 list were the election of Barack Obama to the
US presidency last year, the global recession of 2008/9, Hurricane
Katrina which devastated New Orleans in 2005, the war in
Afghanistan, and the onset of the economic meltdown.
Here is The Global Language Monitor's list of the top 15
stories of the decade:
1. Rise of China - The biggest story of the decade, outdistancing
the No 2 internet story by 400%.
2. Iraq War - The build-up, invasion, hunt for weapons of mass
destruction, and the increase of US troops in Iraq were top in
print and electronic media outlets.
3. September 11 attacks - The attacks on New York City and
Washington DC seemed to set the tone for the new decade.
4. War on Terror - President George Bush's response to the
September 11 attacks.
5.
Death of Michael Jackson - A remarkably high
ranking considering his death occurred in the final year of the
decade.
6.
Election of Obama as president - The rallying
cries of hope and Yes, we can! resulting in the historic election
of an African-American to the US presidency.
7. Global Recession of 2008/9 - The on-going world economic
restructuring as opposed to the initial economic meltdown or
financial tsunami.
8.
Hurricane Katrina - New Orleans was devastated
when the levies collapsed with scenes of death and destruction
shocking millions the world over.
9. War in Afghanistan - Now in its eighth year.
10. Economic Meltdown/Financial Tsunami.
11. Beijing Olympics.
12.
South Asian Tsunami which left 230,000 dead or
missing.
13. War against the Taliban.
14.
Death of Pope John Paul II attended by two
million.
15. Osama bin Laden eludes capture.
What in your opinion is the most read story of the decade? Comment below...
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