Newspapers are mirrors of our times

IT is quite perplexing to look at the week’s stories and wonder what the readers will feel about the amount of crime in the first eight or so pages of the newspaper.

Like Forest Gump’s perceptions, news is like a box of chocolates, one is never sure what will be on offer, and while we try to keep a balance, it is important to reflect what is happening in the community, no matter how dire that news may be.

As a free, delivered newspaper, we are mindful of the fact that we are an uninvited guest in your home. We are mindful of the fact that your children are probably the first to see the paper when they arrive home from school. Because of this we take great care not to offend on the grounds of age, race or religion or to publish photos with graphic content which some may find upsetting.

While walking this tightrope of propriety and needs, we must be relevant, and while there have been calls for a good news only newspaper, that concept has little value to readers unless, of course, they would prefer to live an uninformed life. Life is not all rainbows and butterflies and we have no intention of becoming the type of newspaper that compromises on truth.

The fact is, we live in South Africa, and South Africa is a crime ridden, violent society. We cannot, with a good conscience supply you with news each week which sidesteps the painful disclosure of what is happening, really happening in your neighbourhood. While we would all like to believe that we are as safe as Larry, we are not.

Newspapers are mirrors which reflect the society they represent. When many pages are filled with crime stories, that is what is happening out there in our suburbs, in our streets, and in our homes.

May the day soon arrive when we can report, with as much emphasis as that given to crime stories, that no crime was reported in the Highway area this month. That would truly be the front page lead.

Would people read it? I think there would be little interest. This is an assumption but an educated one. Social media has cast a light on an interesting observation and that is, that the most traffic generated on news websites is obtained by stories of crime and violence. That is what people want to read, no mater how much they may protest at its inclusion in a community newspaper.

What is astonishing is that no matter how many crimes are reported and how often police issue warnings, people still ignore these. Motorists still drive down Josiah Gumede Road (Old Main) in Pinetown with their car windows open, flashing jewellery and expensive cellphones, and then wondering why they were attacked.

Westville and Hillcrest are among those suburbs which go on rollercoaster rides of crime and when things are on a surge, it is our duty to tell you about it. The rest is up to you. Lock your doors and windows, no matter what time of day, and be alert. When police issue warnings about a particular area, take note, please. Most of all, to combat this scourge in our society, join and support your CPF structures to be proactive in driving these thugs out of our neighbourhoods.