Dear Editor,

In a few days the nation will start a new calendar year and we should, as usual, reflect on the one past, and determine what we want to see taking shape for the future.

Of the many challenges facing this young nation, I will just say a few words on two burning issues — corruption and crime; and the role of the media in assisting the citizenry to cambat these grave challenges.

It is just not good enough for the electronic media to often sound like a crime roll call. And a lopsided roll call at that. I often wonder what effect such recitations must have on young viewers, who join their family in front of the TV for nightly news. In many cases it must send feelings of fear and “wha’ fi duh?” hopelessness to those listening, some of whom will no doubt achieve positions of prominence and leadership in this society in a few years time.

At the street level, we can write the scenario of crime reporting. Confrontation between police and citizens, leading to shootout. There are always polar extremes. Citizens demonstrate aggressively, incensed that the cops have killed a peaceful, law abiding citizen, while police report gunmen wanted for serious crimes.

What we need is follow-up by objective media reports to get to the main causes of the incident. Usually after the domonstrations and the hurly-burly of charge/countercharge, only street rumour (su-su) informs the general public, since another hot incident soon takes its place.

At another level, we lack sufficient probing of people in “high places” who appear to act from questionable motives, both in politics, Government – funded institutions, as well as the wider society.

Media need not violate, nor fear libel laws; just good probing interviews will do for now and let chips fall as they may. Analyses /commentaries devoid of political slant , except where the media person is known to be a supporter of a political party, or has declared her/himself to be so affiliated. Even if that is o, much wisdom can be gained by a reasonable politically-affiliated commentator. The thing we should aim for in transparency and accountability, not sweeping dust under the carpet.

Lastly, crime itself, at the gun level on the street (robberies et al) is traditionally fuelled by either the young, coming out of a hopeless underclass, the glorification of violence culture in popular entertainment, or out of political partisanship, which is the same thing, only in the latter cases, the so-called underclass, and noveau riche will then seek to get cover by having friends in high places.

White collar crime also seeks political influence to cover misdeeds.

It should be clear as of now, more than ever, that unless there is far more widespread opportunity for schooling, jobs, skilled trades, and prospects of food/shelter security for everyone, things will only get worse. I wish every Jamaican a season of happy and joyous celebrations in an atmosphere of friendship and goodwill.

Cathy Brown

cathy291181@yahoo.com