We have come to accept that our media reflect society. They report on happenings in our world. They set the agenda for public discussion. All too often, however, media in Jamaica have tended to reflect the dark side of the country's life to an overwhelming extent ... to the point where people have been heard to say: 'Is what? Nutten good nuh happen inna Jamaica?'

Yes, good things do happen in Jamaica and we are overjoyed to see that The Gleaner is placing major focus on some of these good things, giving over its premium pages - pages A1 and A2 - to daily reporting of some of the very positive developments that have been taking place in this country.

I congratulate the editorial managers of The Gleaner who have taken the bold decision to buck the accepted saying 'bad news sells'.

Good people

Consider this. If a parent or authority figure constantly tells a child 'You're worthless. You hang around with thieves and murderers and rapists. You will come to no good. Show me your friends and I'll tell you who you are', it takes a pretty strong character to say 'That is not me'. So it is with society. Most Jamaicans do not identify with those no-good elements who constantly make us look bad to the rest of the world.

We believe that the majority of our people are kind, talented, honest and hard working. The scamps, murderers and thieves who regularly command the airwaves and headlines must be forced to take a back seat to the good people who are the true representatives of this country.

I challenge the other media houses to start celebrating the positive things about Jamaica, in other than a token way. I hope the day will come when the major news casts will be routinely filled with more than murder and mayhem.

Please keep on reflecting the good Jamaica, Mr Editor.

I am, etc.,

BERL FRANCIS

Kingston