HIGHER STANDARDS NEEDED IN NEWSPAPERING

Re: Kids trading sex for drugs, Front page, April 8.

Why a free local newspaper like the Abbotsford/Mission Times would
need to print shocking headlines baffles me.

The Times readership is mainly made up of adults, but the employees
who deliver these papers are children. I have three sons and our
family has been delivering the Times for five years. My children
deliver 160 papers, therefore your headlines were read by them 160
times on Friday as they stuffed the papers with flyers. I understand
that you have high standards for newspaper delivery. My sons are
informed immediately if there is a complaint from one of your free
subscribers.

Just as high standards for delivery are expected of my boys, I would
ask you to set high standards in the wording chosen for headlines. Be
sensitive to impressionable eyes and ears.

My nine-year-old doesn't really understand what "Kids trading sex for
drugs" means, but he did read those words on Friday.

My 11-year-old and 13-year-old boys have just been educated about the
connection between kids, drugs and sex.

Terrible things are happening in our society and I understand that
your newspaper needs to write about them. But using shocking words in
bold letters with disturbing photos while allowing profanity to be
printed on your pages amplifies the decline in decency in your paper
and in society.

The Bible says we are to honour one another above ourselves. Even
people who do not agree with the Bible would agree that if everyone
lived with the intention to "honour" others the world would be better.

I am writing to request that you honour my children - your employees -
by being careful about the words you use. And I will make sure my
children uphold your standards for proper newspaper delivery.

Mrs. E. Wishart

Mission