An example of language deficiency

"The state-run Syrian Arab News Agency framed its coverage of Mr. Annan’s cease-fire plan in starkly different terms..." So Anne Barnard does not know Arabic so her coverage of Syrian media is confined to SANA's English language website.  If she knows Arabic, she would be able to cover Syrian regime TV stations, radio, and newspapers.  It is very limiting to cover an uprising without knowing the language of the country.  Imagine if you send me to China to cover the politics there?   I would not accept.  How do people accept such media assignments when they should be modest and wise enough to consider their language deficiency a major limitation.