Howard Campbell, Gleaner Writer

Jamaica College students Carlyle Moxam (left), Andrew Love (centre) and Carlos Gordon participate in a Gleaner Editors' Forum held at the newspaper's North Street, central Kingston, offices yesterday. - Norman Grindley/Deputy Chief Photographer

AT A time when youth from Jamaica's inner city are stigmatised as gangsters and non-achievers, 18-year-old Andrew Love says he knew from early on the importance of taking a straight and narrow course.

Andrew, who is second school vice-captain at Jamaica College (JC), was one of the guests at yesterday's Gleaner Editors' Forum, held at the newspaper's North Street headquarters.

A diverse panel discussed the influence so-called negative images in media has on society, particularly impressionable youth.

"I come from the ghetto, but I didn't follow the others because I come from a good home, so to speak. I made a choice not to follow the rest, I could have taken up the gun, but I chose not to follow that path," Andrew said.

He added that, while sound parenting is important, there is a time when seniors in a household can do only so much.

Not fair to parents

"To leave everything up to the parents would not be fair to them. The community also has a part to play," he said.

Carlos Gordon, school captain at JC, had a slightly different take. He said even youth who excel may be influenced by the saturation of violent images in media. In this scenario, he stressed, strong parenting is key.

"They (parents) are not taking the time to instil certain values which we know to be valuable to our nation. As the saying goes, 'you can't sell love in a barrel'. Well, you can't sell parenting in a barrel."

Carlyle Moxam, a sixth-former at JC, is weary of crime stories. He said jostling with his mother over which channel to watch at news time has become a pastime at his home.

"I always say, 'Mummy, we know what they are going to show'. Personally, I think we need more positive stories in media," he said.

Andrew, however, does not support censorship.

"There is a role for regulation, but to ban it (negative images) totally would be to their (youth) own detriment, because if they want it, they will get," he said.