IT is always sad  when visitors to our country, Guyana,  and  even those Guyanese who would have acquired citizenship, suffer any form of physical harm, albeit a tragic ending as in the case of United States army captain, Dr Max Kungel, as reported in Monday’s dailies. Apart from feelings of regret, there is always going to be  embarrassment since such incidents tend to reflect negatively on our country.  To this end, condolences are extended to his family, and to the government of the United States. Now permit me an observation.
One would have noticed that some tragic  deaths of Guyanese, whenever they do occur overseas, are seldom given the front-page prominence as is the case of this reported demise of the  Guyanese-American army person, splashed on the front pages of at least two dailies. It may be recalled, that just about two weeks ago, a young Guyanese, was shot dead in the USA; but  the incident took the latter pages of the Kaieteur News that had initially carried the story. Why the difference of reporting? Particular to note is that this young man’s death generated radical responses from some New York citizens. Not even this was worthy of front-page coverage.    
Of course, one must always remember that it is an editor’s call as to how  incidents in his/her media are to be published. Is the readership to conclude the subtle, but unmistakable line  of giving the death of the U.S. citizen this highlight, because of his adopted country’s pre-eminent status, apart from pressuring the local  crime sleuths to find the person(s) responsible for his death?