Push the positive, newspaper is told

By Tom Edwards

TEENAGERS have received more praise - and the Guernsey Press should be kinder to them. Lifelong learning manager Alun Williams said teens were largely positive and confident and led healthy, active lives.

He was addressing a Chamber of Commerce lunch yesterday about a recent survey of 2,000 youngsters aged between 10 and 17.

‘Young people are very proud of being from Guernsey and are concerned for the future,’ said Mr Williams.

‘Their sense of community and family relationships are extremely healthy and most of them have high self esteem.’

The survey, which was conducted by Health and Education, also found that a significant number of young people experience issues with their emotional wellbeing and drink alcohol. It also revealed that one in five 15-year-old boys carry a weapon or some form of protection.

Mr Williams said while that was concerning, he felt the media coverage had concentrated too much on the negatives. ‘That was something that threw us and we are looking at it with the police, but we need to move beyond the anecdotal and subjective,’ he said.

‘I thought the Guernsey Press headline, ﾓOne in three girls aged 15 has had sexﾔ was disgraceful because it puts pressure on girls. If a thorough investigation had been carried out, a more positive picture of the island’s youngsters would have emerged.’

Many teachers were also disappointed by the coverage, added Mr Williams.

He also asked for the opportunity to edit the newspaper for a day to include more positive stories about youngsters.

‘I don’t expect my offer to be taken seriously, but the message I’m trying to get across is that there are so many positive stories about young people, but they are not fully reflected in the Press,’ he said.

He told the audience that such negative coverage could be damaging for business. ‘What kind of impression does it create when people read that sort of thing?’

Chamber president Mark Trenchard asked the audience whether they would prefer more positive stories and all but three of the 30 members present said they would.

‘I believe the Guernsey Press is sensationalist and I don’t think people want negative and sales-related articles anyway,’ said Mr Trenchard.

‘We should be more optimistic about the future leaders of the island because if we are not, they will become alienated and disenchanted.

‘What we have heard is that young people are on top and knocking them down does not benefit them or the island.’