Here are more media-related comments from Transition Year students who have won a week's work placement in The Irish Times.

Laoise Casey, Alexandra College, Milltown, Dublin

Recently in the press there has been exaggerated coverage of the "refugee problem" in Ireland. Words such as "flood" are used to describe the number coming in. These people have a lot to cope with in trying to assimilate into a new culture - a new language, social rules and etiquette. They can be hurt by the anti-refugee hysteria. The Government and indeed Irish people wish Ireland to be promoted worldwide as a friendly, non-racist country. Why, then, do the media contradict this positive image by using racist terms to stereotype all refugees in Ireland?

Conor Dwan, Blackrock College, Blackrock, Co Dublin

Many people were horrified to learn that the O.J. Simpson trial was to be televised and broadcast throughout the world in 1995. That was sick, apparently. However, little surprise was shown at the decision to give Louise Woodward her television debut two years later; people merely took note and hurried home early to catch up on the latest courtroom drama. Now we have to answer the question: if the media only reflect what the public wants, then are we cold, heartless savages, unhealthily obsessed with sanguinary violence? If this is evolution, bring back Cro-Magnon man!

Write to media scope by posting your comments to Newspaper in the Classroom, The Irish Times, 11-16 D'Olier Street, Dublin 2, or faxing them to (01) 679 2789. Be sure to include your name, address and school, plus phone numbers for home and school.

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media scope is edited by Harry Browne.