Robinson: No good news? The State’s got lots

Everybody knows that the media present only the “bad” or sensational news. Or do they? I decided to examine that claim based on Thursday’s edition of The State. You might consider me biased, as a former circulation district manager for The Columbia Record, but that was a long time ago, and I’ve also taught a course at a university to prepare communication students for the real world.

I will admit that I found reportage that some would consider sensational, such as the Amtrak train wreck, but it is a news organization’s responsibility to present both the good news and the bad news. Had The State not included the Amtrak accident, and several other stories, we readers would think it was derelict in its duty to inform.

But let’s consider, in no particular order, the other items in Thursday’s paper:

1. The JUV. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, so to thestate.com to learn about the efforts of day-school students to ease the difficulties of a classmate. Thank you, students, teacher and parents, for the reminder that youngsters often make larger contributions to the welfare and comfort of others than we adults.

2. Cardinal Newman. Students were saying “goodbye” to a venerable institution of learning. Thank you, seniors, for caring.

3. Volvo. Even though a couple of dubious accolades were included, the editorial was positive. South Carolina was chosen, again. Above all other competing states. Thank you, governor, heads of S.C. agencies and their partners, the business community and elected officials. I know more should be acknowledged, but space is limited. Our state’s record of welcoming new industries has gained worldwide attention. We are still in the process of replacing the now-shuttered cotton mills in which our parents, and some of us, prospered. Each new announcement is a sure sign of our progress.

4. USC memory technology studies. Students are tackling the difficult problems of our aging population. If I remember to, I will volunteer to participate in the study.

5. “You bought him a cheeseburger.” Isn’t that a wonderful expression of respect and thanks and recognition? How many of us may be remembered for one small act of kindness? To the recipient, the act was appreciated. For another person to recognize the donor is remarkable. Talk about leaving one’s mark on our local portion of the world.

6. Congratulations and thanks to South Carolina’s technical education system. The colleges have proven they will educate students, inexpensively, for demanding manufacturing and technical operations, computer literacy and programming and a myriad of other specialties. We’re proud of our system and the instructors who put for-profit “schools” (watch cable TV) to absolute shame. South Carolina thanks you.

7. Letter by Ginna Green. What insights on how we can continue to improve our encounters with those different from us. And thank you for the acknowledgment that North Charleston did not have riots as other cities.

While we are still hoping for progress in those relations, I appreciate recognition that we in South Carolina are guided by leaders who admit possible wrongdoing and immediately take appropriate action, and their community counterparts who acknowledge that response. Makes me proud all over again to call South Carolina the state of my birth and my home.

I don’t suspect any effort by the editors, writers or publishers to print only the “good” news. What they do is relate the stories as they understand them. Fair, honest and unbiased reportage.

This story was originally published May 17, 2015 at 7:14 PM.