Has a culture of violence emerged on our nation?This is the question I can't help posing as brutal killings and grisly murders continue to dominate newspaper headlines.
Undoubtedly, the gruesome and dpressing things that happen around us such as killings,rape and mayhem always make news in our media.
There are critic who complain that such reports would put fear into the people and deter tourists from visiting our country.
Some people are so paranoid about the publicity on that crime that their reflex action is go for the censorship button.
here are others who are even more ridiculous.It reminds me of a shopping complex in Kuala lumpur, which flatly rejected a request to use its venue for an anti-snatch theft campaign on the grounds that such a campaign will drive away shoppers despite the fact that it is a known target of snatch thieves.
Pretending that a problem does not exist will not make it go away.On the contrary, if a problem exist and nothing is done, it will further aggravate and harm more victims due to a lack of awareness.
We cannot stop media from reporting crimes.With responsible reporting, the media helps to create an awareness and make the public more safety conscious.
It will also serve as a wake up call to the aouthorities that tey must not be complacent and need to improve their performance in eradicating and deterring crime.
Crime reporting by the media in a factual and responsible manner should never be made into an issue.
The media should not only report crime, it should also work together with the relevant authorities and NGOs to educate the public on crime prevention and in particular, to address the issue of violence and violent crimes in the country.
The frequent occurence of brutal and violent crimes is a serious reminder to all of us that something has to be done, beside law enforcement to address the issue of violence.
What has gone wrong with our society? With all these brutal killings, even of one's own children, can we claim that we are living in a civilised age? have we lost our senses and human compassions?
Hardly a day passes without some from of violence commited, be it at home or outside. Is it because of the brutal tendencies of individuals as a way of setting scores. If this is so, what are the reasons? Or is it due to the fact that our young are seriously influenced by the violent movies that are shown on TV and VCD?
What has happen to our value system,the noble value including moral education which we are seeking to inculcate in the young to enable them to differentiate between good and bad.
It is time for a serious reappraisal of the effforts undertaken so for the creation of noble values among Malaysians and the building of a caring society.
TAN SRI LEE LAM TYE
KUALA LUMPUR.
VIEWS THE STAR FRIDAY 19 FEB 2010.
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