I believe, that while the Metrobeat is a city funded and produced publication it does serve an important. Role you may say propoganda, but then again arent the independent newspapers titles also doing that? South African media are quick to tarnish the countries reputation for sales...maybe that has to do with them being owned by my fellow countrymen in Ireland... i dont know.

While i do not believe crime should be swept under the carpet, i do believe that news media often cause alarm for no reason other than sensationalism, which leads to further scaring society.

There was a major conference in Cape Town recently. did you hear of the international guests that got hijacked at the waterfront? Or had their entire hotel room cleared out? no you didnt, why? because the Cape Media obviously seem to have a more proactive outlook. Muggings are a constant occurance worldwide. Hell i got mugged three times in 3 weeks in Miami and have been on the recieving end in London on many occassions. So dont tell me it is a durban thing. I didnt see the papers in Miami writing about my trio of attacks.

South Africans in general are terribly pessimistic and think it is "cool" to promote bad news. People thrive on it to the verge of making me sick.

So slate the avenues that attempt to portray good news, cause with the boks, proteas and bafana being so terrible we can still be the best whingers in the world.

Disclaimer - These comments are not targeted at serious crime, which is valid and needs to be sorted, but at the points raised against mike sutcliffe's comment, which i fully support.

Regards Obed...tut tut tut...he is mike's puppy anyway.