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Michael J. Kelly, Cistercian College, Roscrea, Co Tipperary
On October 24th £4.5 million of public funds was dedicated to a bid to raise awareness against racism. But will this three-year programme actually work? Will it take the Irish people's mindset away from the belief that black, Arab and Asian people are only takers, sponging off the State?
I have come to the point if view that if you want acceptance, you must join different populations together. It is full integration, not racial awareness, that will solve this problem on our isle.
If you talk to, and ultimately become friends with, a person from a different background, you will learn that they are very similar to the Irish, and not all members of their race are the same.
Back in the 1960s and '70s, countries such as Britain and Germany experienced a huge influx of foreign people over their borders. Ireland did not see immigration on such a scale and, as a result, we are not used to seeing different races living among us.
Once different racial communities are allowed to work and mix socially, the majority of racism in our country will dissipate significantly.
Ian Hunt Duffy, De La Salle College, Dundalk, Co Louth
It is becoming increasingly evident that viewers are attracted to programmes involving common people doing ordinary things. Such programmes as Big Brother, Survivor and PopStars have transformed regular citizens into superstars - and for what? Just because they took part in a "fly on the wall" type programme does not make them worthy of fame and fortune.
Is this the future of television? Will scripted shows with actual stories, such as East Enders, Friends and Coronation Street, cease to exist? Will "real TV" conquer the world? In my opinion, the idea alone is sickening. If we let this plague infest our lives, soon enough no one will be safe. Who knows where this may lead? As technology advances, the world as we know it could turn into a sort of Truman Show.
I know that I am not the only one who feels this way. Obviously the makers of such movies as Battle Royale and Series 7 - The Contenders agree with my point of view, as both films are clever satires on reality programmes and just how far they can go. Sooner or later everyone will have his or her 15 minutes of fame - how unfortunate.
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Media Scope is edited by Harry Browne.
