We ask the question ‘what is the role of a newspaper’, especially a local newspaper? Is it to inform; to engender interest in local issues; to publicise events, or is its role to pander to those interests that may be high on the list of chief advertisers? A simple headline is capable of altering perspective, shifting the emphases, turning neglect into a virtue, making black appear white, and hopeful aspiration the  equivalent of planned and consistent action.

We ask these questions as a result of today’s article in the Caulfield Leader concerning the Elsternwick Childcare saga. Emblazoned across the page there is the headline: “Childcare Reprieve’”. Then we have ‘Council does U-Turn on policy and calls on government help to keep centre open’. Most people would probably see the words ‘reprieve’, U-turn’ and think problem solved! Childcare will go on. Council has caved in to pressure! Nothing could be further from the truth. With possibly unconscious irony, we report that the definition of ‘reprieve’ is:  “a formal temporary suspension of the execution of a sentence esp. of death as an act of clemency”!!  The use of the term ‘u-turn’ is also highly suspect. Let’s face it – council budgetry policy has  never changed. Finance to buy, find alternate accommodation, renovate other buildings has never been an option. The rhetoric has always been ‘it’s not our responsibility – it’s up to State and federal governments”. In an earlier post we used the headline – Councillors perfect the art of doing nothing’. We still stand by this viewpoint. It’s just a pity that the Leader failed to also highlight these facts.

The full Leader article reads:

PARENTS lobbying to stop the closure of Elsternwick Children’s Centre are hopeful State Government intervention will save it. After six months of maintaining that another childcare centre was unnecessary, Glen Eira Council is reconsidering allowing the door to close on the Kooyong Rd building, owned by Alfred Health.

At last Tuesday’s council meeting, the councillors voted to seek help from the government to ‘‘use all means available’’ to ensure the land continues to be used for child care. Alfred Health has not ruled out selling the site or extending the lease, but it seems unlikely.

Nursing and site co-ordination director Janet Weir-Phyland said Caulfield Hospital was working with the health department on ‘‘service planning requirements’’. ‘‘Our planning now also needs to accommodate a new ward f or acquired brain injury patients,’’ Ms Weir-Phyland said.

Alfred Health has let the building to the council for 21 years, with the lease expiring in December 2011. Sixty-four families use the centre. Save Local Childcare Coalition spokeswoman Nicole Owen said the parents’ group wanted the council to buy the building. ‘‘We’re still hopeful . . . we can secure the site,’’ she said.

Mayor Steven Tang said the council would meet again with Alfred Health. ‘‘Issues of time and cost involved in building a new children’s centre would most likely prevent any alternative being ready in time for the end of the current lease,’’ he said.