WHAT is commonly and now derogatorily described as “the media” often gets blamed for causing problems other people have engineered.These people often go on the radio or television - also the media - and moan and whine and cite the media itself as the reason for all sorts of ills.

James Marston

WHAT is commonly and now derogatorily described as “the media” often gets blamed for causing problems other people have engineered.

These people often go on the radio or television - also the media - and moan and whine and cite the media itself as the reason for all sorts of ills.

Here are a few examples:

Lack of community - well the media doesn't help does it?

Political scandal - it's just a Westminster village story whipped up by some political correspondents

Celebrity sexual licence - intrusive media attention, isn't it awful?

Lack of respect - well, with what you read in the papers is it surprising?

Racism/intolerance - sensational reporting by the media

Things written you don't like - misreporting/misrepresentation in the press.

Anyone would think that we hacks are the root of all evil.

Time and again when people ask what I do for a living, I get the stock reply “I'd better be careful what I say,” when I reply I am a journalist.

Yet never in all my years as a journalist have I quoted someone in a story who didn't know about it and neither do my colleagues.

It is simply a comment born out of ignorance. I would never say to a doctor “Well, I better be careful if I come to see you, you might be like Harold Shipman”, or say to a nurse “I'd better be careful with my children, you might be like Beverley Allitt” or even to a soldier “I'd better be careful around you, you might kill me”. Those comments would be grossly offensive.

Time and again people say things that are taken “out of context” when a story breaks that they do not want people to know about.

The media is, as are politicians, an easy scapegoat. Using another section of the media to blame another is also a cheap trick.

What better way to deny fault than blame our elected leaders or the messenger.

Perhaps we need to look a bit closer to home when searching for the reasons behind social ills.

Here are a few examples of the real reasons behind some of the issues facing society.

Lack of community - greed

Political scandal - power corrupts and we get the politicians we deserve.

Celebrity sexual licence - these people want and need to be in the papers to earn a living.

Lack of respect - brought about by lack of community

Racism/intolerance - Whether it be the French, the Irish, or Norwich City fans - almost everyone is racist at some level.

Things written you don't like - people make mistakes.

So next time you hear someone blame the media, have a think at why they might be doing so.

OVER the years I've had some unusual commissions.

Be a dinner lady, teach a class of children, be a children's entertainer, visit Harwich, go to the House of Lords even.

However, recently a commission has come my way that makes being a journalist so very worthwhile.

My editor has asked me to spend a day in a beach hut in Felixstowe and write about my experience.

“What a lovely idea,” I said, jumping at the chance.

Not only do I need a notebook but a bottle of sun cream for this one.

NOW I've solved my tomato problems that I reported on last week.

I took them home to my mum who knew what to do and is growing them nicely as a salad crop.

I'm rather looking forward to them.

HAPPY birthday, Cilla!

Today, the great entertainer, without whom a Saturday night with Blind Date on while you were getting ready to go out was not complete, is 65.

I wish she was back on the small screen - don't you?

She might surprise us all yet and return.

Let's hope so.