They say you can learn something from any situation.
This is, or course, if you are paying attention.
Almost every night I watch Sky Sports news on the “telly” to get the latest on English soccer. And I pay attention. I use the few minutes that cover cricket, darts and rugby to refill my tea cup and take a breather.
At the end of the show when I do return to my couch, a guest columnist appears to review what’s been written in the newsprint media on that day.
I am not sure which columnist it was, but he said something very basic but enlightening.
He said: “After all, it is a columnist’s job to instigate debate on issues.”
This was one of those statements that we all know to be true, but we need to be reminded from time to time. It is also one of those statements that can easily be misunderstood or manipulated.
Some may equate debate with controversy. A controversy is disagreement on a contentious topic, strongly felt or expressed by all those concerned. This is not necessarily the same as a debate. Not all topics are hotly contested or controversial. But many still do need to be covered.
A debate is also not necessarily based on outrageous comments or positions. It is easy to make extremist statements and generate debate around the comments. It is not too difficult to cause controversy for the sake of itself; this is what many may call irresponsible journalism.
The statement by the columnist made me reflect on my work. I did feel guilty about devoting a few columns to my mom and having some fun with our city’s diverse cultural nuances. But not for long. I think there is a time and place for that. I am right to assume readers do not want to read about serious issues all the time. Besides, if no one reads your writings, it does not matter how intelligent and enlightening the message is.
The soccer columnist had an effect on me; it was good to hear that in a London accent. Anything in that particular dialect can sound profound, even if the message itself is rudimentary.
I must admit, the fun columns are easier on me that the serious ones. Whenever I address an issue that may be controversial, my stress level goes up on the Saturday morning of the publication. Depending on the type of responses I get, the stress factor may remain with me for a few days or even a couple of weeks. But as a friend suggested once, this comes with the territory. The more of an impact you have on the issues, the more you will be in the firing line.
