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 champion and 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. Sometimes a free press has a measure of interest, because it's good for a paper to join in for the ride with a feel-good situation. It's a win-win for everyone, in that we get to share in a good, meritorious story that will help sell papers.
You've probably noticed the paper has given attention to certain fundraising appeals, Givealittle causes. These are local people who have asked for help. It's an easy formula. Sure, in reporting on these causes there's an element of endorsement from the paper. We accepted that a person's actions are worthy. It's up to the public if they engage further.
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, if you give an organisation a chance to hear your complaint and assess it. To run to a newspaper before that option is tried is unfair, and also puts the newspaper in a position of trying to communicate a problem like some kind of third-party mediator.
