I chose Canada in particular because it is a country that is 'close to home' for America, therefore I found their views on America to be the most interesting and controversial. Their news on America seems to be more extensive than other local newspapers in other countries, as their top headlines aren't just about the top current affairs (e.g. American shutdown by Congress) but actually about other important issues, and was much more opinionated and truthful about their opinions on America as a country, and how think America influences Canada. Despite this being maybe the opinion of the writer solely, the direct address to the reader as if it were a Canadian reader seems to give the article a feel of this whole Canadian opinion.
I didn't have to look far in the article to find a controversial comment, this particular direct address on the first line 'WASHINGTON—Think there’s a Canadian border between you and the U.S. government when it comes to online surveillance? ' was particularly interesting and powerful as a first line. The fact that the article starts with a direct address to the reader (and assuming it is a Canadian reader) immediately provokes an angry reaction and portrays the anger within the article. It seems to be expressing an anger at the lack of privacy and the clear invasion of Canada, a clear violation and lack of respect for their nation. Despite the geographical border between the two countries, America seems to still have more power and are being perceived to be using that power in a negative way.
Another particularly interesting quotation was the use of the phrase 'the watchful eyes of Big American Brother' as it indicates a power of Canada, as if they have no choice but to surrender to the command of Americans, they are powerless. This sense of lack of power really evokes the violation felt by Canadians.
However, this may just be one person opinion as the quotations are coming from an expert (Ronald Deibert, director of University of Toronto’s Citizen Lab) so could be a biased opinion rather than a collective opinion of Canada. But the article includes percentages, real figures/facts: 'At least 90 per cent of Canada’s digital activity, from Facebook to Foursquare to basic email and beyond, is routed through exchange points in the United States,' which makes the accusations against America not just angry and irrational hatred for the violation, but actual seriousness for the safety of individuals within Canada. When looking at the comments from others who have posted in response to this articles, they seem to be in agreement of the lack of safety, with one post saying 'Canadians should demand more security, privacy, clear rules, integrity, better service, and competitive pricing not an anything goes, borderless, foreign dominated industry.' Most of the post clearly indicate this word 'foreign', stating that they are different nations despite being neighbours and so similar, therefore have a right to better security, privacy and safety from powerful governments within America.
Canada's overall message within this article is anger as they believe they deserve privacy from the US as they are neighbouring nations, not one nation as a whole.
http://www.thestar.com/news/world/2013/06/07/canadians_not_safe_from_us_online_surveillance_expert_says.html
http://deibert.citizenlab.org/2006/02/usa-today-and-radio-canada-international/
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