Over to you

Are you interested in one week's work placement in The Irish Times?

Transition Year students can learn first-hand about the workings of this newspaper if their submission is published in Media Scope's weekly 'Over to You' column.

Just send us a 200-word piece on a media-related topic - if it's published, a representative of The Irish Times will be in touch with you, and the placement is yours.

Hugh Hackett, Clongowes Wood College, Naas, Co Kildare

in light of the recent terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, I continually find myself reflecting on two, seemingly quite apparent thoughts.

Firstly, the world's media has aided Osama bin Laden and his fellow Islamic fundamentalists in preaching their message. Thus, one of their objectives when carrying out the attack against the Western world has been reached with ease, all courtesy of Sky, CNN and Co.

Was it really necessary for these news organisations to donate so much air-time to this horrific tragedy, while in the process almost glorifying the attackers and their leaders?

Do these educated people not know that suicide bombers are worshipped in the Middle East?

Secondly, amidst the outcry in America regarding the purging of terrorism from our world, the irony should not be lost on republican terror groups, whose life-blood is hard-earned American dollars.

For years America has provided these organisations with weapons, money and munitions, but the media seems to have forgotten this.

So in the coming weeks as this war on terrorism unfolds, let the world media not forget our fellow countrymen as well as the Osama bin Ladens - as we attempt to discard them, their ideals and what they all represent from our "civilised" society

SΘamus MacConnbhuadha, Scoil Chaitr∅ona, Glasna∅on, B┴C

In Tommy Carr's four years as Dublin manager he has guided Dublin to three Leinster finals. They did not win one. Dublin is a county with great expectations and in most counties one such defeat is too much. Tommy had many chances but eventually his time ran out. He had to go.

Some might argue that as manager he has done well in putting together a strong panel and unearthing new talents, the likes of Coman Goggins and Peadar Andrews.

This is true, but he has not taught his players to play as a team.

The lack of teamwork is clear to be seen in the Dublin forwards. While they have great individual skill, they lack a pattern and a set style of play.

This was clearly evident in both games against Kerry where virtually all Dublin's scores came from frees and solo efforts from such players as Dessie Farrell.

Tommy Carr created a strong panel with some great players but he just could not get them to gel as a team. This is why the players have not had the success they deserve.

How he managed to survive so long is beyond me, but after three strikes, he's out.

By creating the panel he has done the groundwork for the new manager. It's now up to the new man, whoever he may be, to make a team from Carr's men.

Media Scope is a weekly media studies page for use in schools.

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Media Scope is edited by Harry Browne.