I ask the media to consider the role you can play in helping troubled children and their families. I urge you to use your power and influence to help schools and families prevent further incidents. Virtually everyday we see a story about a successful student or staff person. But that is not enough. They must also see their responsibility when covering stories which may have a negative impact on students, schools and communities.
More balance is needed.
Next time, for example, a reporter does a story about an extraordinary student, perhaps there could be a sidebar with other similar 'good news' stories. Peel District School Board is one of Canada's largest school systems and one of the fastest growing. It serves 104,000 students in 180 schools in the municipalities of Brampton, Caledon and Mississauga.