Weekly issue #3

 

Issue #1: Why Russia's war on Ukraine could cause instant noodle prices to rise around the world- ABC news

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-03-20/instant-noodles-price-increase-ukraine-russia-war/100896348

 

This issue talks about the rise of instant noodle prices as a result of the Russia Ukraine war. Which will affect noodle consumers all around the world and especially Indonesians who consume 15% of the world’s instant noodles. Russia and Ukraine produce a third of world’s wheat exports, therefore, the war will cause major disruptions in the production process since farmers will be forced to leave the field to fight. This is a relevant issue in the media since it indicates the global impact of the war through increased prices of fuel, oil, grain crops,…

 

I have discovered this issue through ABC news- an Australian online news source that attracts mostly young adults to middle aged audiences.

 

Instant noodle being processed in Indonesia

 

The article has presented the news in both negative and positive point of views. By first demonstrating the opinions of those who are affected by the news, the article describes Indonesia’s yearly instant noodle consumption and how “the country’s 270 people should expect the price to rise”. As well as a Queensland University of Technology student whose family would “buy 30 packs of instant noodle every month” due to its convenience.

Aisha Wilson, Queensland University of Technology student

 

The article has also provided Indonesia’s Trade Ministry’s opinion that the conflict has not yet cause a significant impact on the price of instant noodle since Indonesia still has “enough wheat [ to provide] for the next 2 months,” and that “the potential of a price increase will be much smaller if the intensity of invasion doesn't last long”. Finally, the article shows an optimistic perspective when stating that the rise in global wheat price could lead to an “increase in production in Australia” as Indonesia imports more than 3 million tons of wheat for noodles each year from Australia.

 

While this issue would not have a big effect on me, I understand why it has a big impact on Indonesian society since instant noodles are considered “irreplaceable” especially during hard times.

 

 

 

Issue #2: Teacher sues Al-Taqwa principal for sexual harassment, assault- The Age

https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/teacher-sues-al-taqwa-principal-for-sexual-harassment-assault-20220302-p5a10a.html

 

This issue talks about the sexual harassment of AL-Taqwa’s former teacher by the school’s principal and founder Omar Hallak. The victim was allegedly harassed multiple times and was unable to hold down full-time work as a teacher due to symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. Al-Taqwa College was founded in 1986, and it has since grown to become Victoria’s largest Islamic school. Therefore, it brings a large amount of media attention when a sexual harassment case occurs, especially when the accused is the school’s own principal and founder.

 

I have found out about this issue through an article by The Age, a left-leaning Australian news paper site. It presents the news in a negative perspective and only provides opinions and statements from the victim.

 

The former teacher claims that the assault has occurred 4 times in 2015 when she was a 25 year old junior teacher. The former principal allegedly cornered her in an office when no one was present and “repeatedly said, ‘I love you, you love me, too, you love me, too, don’t you?”. The article then goes on to explain other incidences that occurred similarly and shows how the victim now suffers “symptoms indicative of PTSD” since the incidents, including anxiety, flashbacks, intrusive images of the assault and chronic insomnia.

AL- Taqwa founder and principal Omar Hallak

I think this situation is very unfortunate and the victim has every right to sue Omar Hallak for what happened. More should also be done to ensure the safety and comfort of workers in work environments to reduce the number of victims to sexual harassment/abuse.