THE media is often criticised for an obsession with bad news.

But there are many occasions where the profile given to certain stories leads to an outcome that right thinking people would want to see.

The case of David Bartholomew is one, that of Jade Clark, another.

The public outrage at the lack of any prosecution in the case of the former (expressed through this newspaper and its website) had led Martyn Underhill, Dorset’s police and crime commissioner to seek a meeting with the CPS. MP Chris Chope has also expressed concern and a change in the law may be looked at.

On the tragic case of Jade, a subject we return to again today, the huge media coverage of the police hunt for the missing Volvo driver may yet yield a result.

Positive or helpful outcomes in appalling cases like these must be welcomed, as a result of the media coverage – or otherwise.