I'M NOT a religious person, and in no way do I see the newspaper - or the media - as some higher presence in our lives, but I can see parallels with the Biblical axiom of the Lord helping those who help themselves.
Media are supposed to shine a light
on wrong practices, and to support models of behaviour we like to see in our society. But, quite frankly, it is not the newspaper's role to do all the work, or to act as a mediator or go-between.
Where a newspaper works best is when all other options have been exhausted. You could be an embattled resident who has tried everything with your community and bureaucracy to right a wrong, or raise awareness - and it hasn't been enough. This is when a free press, operating without conflict of interest, or self-interest, can step forward to ask questions.
You've probably noticed the paper has given attention to certain fundraising appeals, Givealittle causes. Sure, in reporting there's an element of endorsement from the paper.
But the system doesn't work when a person makes little effort to explore a solution before approaching the media. Wrongs can actually be righted through a phone call and a complaints process.
