This post is thick-skinnedly ciplaked (a colloquial Malay expression for "pirated") from Jonzz's entry:

If you are a Malaysian and have not been living under a nutshell for past week, you would have been aware of the tragic and cruel murder of a little girl by the name of Ooi Ying Ying, who perished at the very hands of the same people who were entrusted with her care and protection.

It's scary how low the depths to which our human nature can really sink to.

What were the motives behind the deed? I guess only God and the accused will ever know.

What we know is but the bits and pieces of information packaged for us by the media.

Which brings me to my second observation.

Nestled between the many headlines, was one that caught my attention:

Teacher: Ying Ying was the cutest in class

Pardon my self-righteous talk, but I observe a second but no less greater injustice looming behind this seemingly innocent headline.

Among my friends and peers, I have heard this statement being uttered and I'm pretty sure you might have as well, "How can they kill such a little girl? Look at her. She is so cute."

My concern is this: Why does cuteness even have to come into the picture at all?

But then again, if the victim had been someone ugly or less prominent, do you think they would have garnered as much attention?

I am sure there are many more murders that have taken place but look at the murder "personalities" that get prominence and front page photos in the newspapers.

Is this our value system these days? A handsome or pretty face is better or is worth more than a normal or plain looking face?

Well, I admit I am equally guilty of this.

Guess learning not to judge a book by its cover is easier said than done.

Jonzz is so right. Media people, with no particular reference to any one, sometimes have little sense of propriety in terms of the message they're transmitting. It often looks like it's all about what news sells. Even if the values portray rubbish.