This newspaper was criticised by a few persons for publishing a story and picture about Friday’s fight at one of the local high schools and in particular for placing on The Daily Herald’s website a video
bystanders had taken of the incident and posted on social media. The argument is that youngsters do these things to get attention and giving them more only makes it worse.
While there is certainly a lot to be said for such thinking, the fact of the matter remains that this practice has been ongoing several years already. The mainstream media mostly ignoring it during all that time doesn’t seem to have helped much.
In this case it was decided that showing the images might give authorities, parents, teachers, guidance counsellors, school administrators and education officials a clue as to who might have been involved in the ruckus or just present as spectator. Engaging them in an open discussion on the reasons and circumstances behind this frequent physical violence might give those dealing with the consequences a bit more insight into how best to tackle the issue.
Effectively turning a blind eye to what is happening among the local youth is not the answer either. Adults mustn’t shy away from confronting students on their behaviour also outside of the school gates and at least should try to make a positive difference.
Enough is enough.
