THE EDITOR, Sir:I WHOLEHEARTEDLY concur with the sentiments expressed by Father Richard Ho Lung is his article entitled: 'The media and immorality' (published December 6, 2004).
I find it very difficult to watch the evening news on CVM and TVJ these days because these newscasts are often filled with, both verbally and graphically, stories of anguish, despair and bloodshed.
While I understand that the electronic media has a duty and an obligation to report on the bad that takes place in society, it seems to me that the ratio between the reporting of bad news and that of good news, is too uneven.
The impression being given by the electronic media, and I am positive that this is not by design, is that in Jamaica bad is prevalent while good is rare. In reality, as is the case in most countries across the globe, the good that happens in a society usually outweighs the bad, by far.
Understandably, it would be impossible for the media, print or electronic, to report on or highlight all the good news - of national relevance - that takes place in society.
However, I would urge journalists in the electronic media to present more good news stories to the public. If it means that the time period within which newscasts are aired need to be extended in order to accommodate stories about good news, this should be done.
I am, etc.,
Patrick A. Gallimore
pagalley@hotmail.com
Kingston
