One week ago, the prime news concerned the demise of hostel student, 16-year-old Muhammad Farid Ibrahim, who was beaten to death by several of his senior students.

In view of that incident, local newspapers and television stations took it upon themselves to reflect the public's concern on such an incident but sadly, instead of providing cognisance to the layman on such a tragedy, the media ended up planting seeds of racism amongst the masses.

One such racism-laced and biased news came from the country's leading TV station, TV3. On April 8 and 9, TV3 over its Buletin Utama news had a report on the students who were involved in Muhammad Farid's death and on both occasions, this TV station touched on the issue of bullying and gangsterism in schools.

And guess who they picked as 'models' to re-enact scenes of bullying among students? - three Indian students! And this footage was shown twice, on Thursday and Friday.

Just what was TV3 trying to hint at? That gangsterism is a problem exclusive to Indians? Yes, Indian youths are infamously known for being involved in fights but to make it seem that it is only Indians are bad hats does not augur well for a so-called responsible TV station like TV3.

The station should not forget that Muhammad Farid Ibrahim was not beaten to death by some Indian students, but instead by his own fellow Malay students. Now, does my statement smack of racism? If it does, I am not making any apology for it because at the end of the day, people naively belief what the media preaches to be as the gospel truth.

For the record, TV3's Buletin Utama garnered 2.82 million in viewership during the first quarter of 2004. To TV3, your effort over that piece of news is no doubt going to give some people the wrong impression about the Indian community, but at the same time also rest assured that for those who are wise about the politics of the media, it is that many votes less for your station with regards to issues that cry for truth and impartiality.

And sadly, no Malaysian, forget the politicians, took TV3 to task for its bias on the above matter. So much for 'love thy neighbour.'