Do more positive reports

MEDIA has played an important role today and we see it as a powerful tool for development.
We have different forms of media: television, radio and print media which are our two daily newspapers. Journalists attached to these media organisations have different roles to play. They write stories, get photographs, compile documentaries, news etc.
For those reporters who get stories from people, either victim (complainant) eyewitnesses or accused, they wouldn’t know whether the information they collect is true or correct. It’s a very critical and confusing for some reporters. After all, we understand that it’s not their role to investigate crime. They are only performing their duty. As a citizen and a regular newspaper reader I have a point to share .
I would like to know if there are some measures or assessment procedures to screen reports or news from the reporter’s end to his/her editor’s and sub-editors’ table before it goes into print and out in the streets for public consumption.
My point relates to this. I always feel sorry for women and girls every time I read stories of rape and violence against women published in our two dailies.
Sometimes a photo of a woman with black and swollen face is published. The stories we read are always laid out precisely outlining how a woman was beaten, stabbed, dragged or raped in a toilet, bathroom, office, prison, bushes etc.
We respect media and its role.
From my point of view, I think the editors and sub-editors must not go ahead and print such news.
Screen properly before printing.
Some stories in such cases, we read, conclude that the perpetrator or person causing that particular crime has been arrested and charged or in court. This means the matter has already been reported and dealt with, so what is the point and logic in such publicity?
Let it be as police case. Visitors, tourist, expatriates and investors from outside buy this newspapers and read too. How can we continue to publish such stories and tell the world that we have this in our country? This is an insult to our mothers and sisters. Report good things to gain positive outcome and not inhumane behavior that diminish our country’s reputation.

Hanam Bill Sandu
Lae