I read with interest the article “Silence over Beirut blasts” (Nov. 17) by Belen Fernandez. It was a very nicely written article that exposed the hypocrisy of the world, particularly the media. I feel equally sad for those who lost their loved ones in the brutal Paris attacks but the manner in which the world decided to keep mum about the victims of Beirut blasts is deplorable. Perhaps it has to do with First World and Third World factor. To the western media, inhabitants of the former are more human than those of the latter. The lives of the people living in the First World countries are more precious than those living beyond it. Even the world leaders’ response to both the incidents was visibly different.

Vinod Sharma

Riyadh