I am increasingly concerned that the Newport Argus has come to resemble a sensationalist publication focused entirely on wrongdoing.

It appears the newspaper devotes its coverage almost exclusively to substance abuse, physical assaults, and criminal or disruptive conduct, none of which receives any apparent resolution, and this pattern repeats endlessly.

The daily court listings must have already profiled virtually every resident of Newport twice over.

I recall a suggestion being made to the Argus some time ago to dedicate an entire edition of a single day to showcasing the positive and admirable activities taking place in Newport and the surrounding region. I was informed this would not be feasible. This represents a troubling reflection on this part of South Wales, presenting Newport to any reader as a place devoid of order.

Surely some uplifting stories must exist? Is the Argus even searching for them? Or does negative reporting simply attract more attention?

Would it not be worthwhile for the Argus to invite Newport residents to contribute to such an edition? Content focusing solely on constructive developments?

I have no desire to encounter yet another report detailing arrests related to drugs or acts of brutality.

Should Argus circulation figures be declining, the reason is not difficult to identify. Objectivity has vanished. If numbers remain stable, then Newport must be in a worse state than anyone realises.

Mervyn James, Newport