Time for mainstream media to do some "national service"

In the wake of recent revelations of alleged rape in the national service, it's time for the mainstream media to look critically at this call-up. So far, we've been given anecdotes and diary accounts of how the trainees spend their time in their camps, often enjoying what they do and light-heartedly griping about the hitches. And if there are more serious comments about the 'teething problems', they often come from the ministers and other such "approved" sources.

It is the responsibility of the mainstream media to highlight some of the concerns and criticism of the national service coming from the parents and other quarters. One needs only to surf a number of websites to get a sense of how disturbed parents and others are about this ill-hatched national service.

Regular blog visitor Lucia adds: "Highlight criticism of national service? You must be kidding! Since when do the mainstream paper like to publish criticism of the government from the public?"