I am a young writer and this is my first article ~ I was reading the First News’s issue 185 in my school library, I usually read this paper regularly and enjoy seeing the Paper Boy near the back of the newspaper. When I saw that they were joking about the swine flu situation I was frustrated that they are able to do this. I have not been affected by swine flu (and I hope I never am) but I still felt for the people who have been affected by this virus. Affected people may have read this and they must have been deeply offended by this and upset.

The issue of First News’s cartoon strip called Paper Boy (Issue 185)  was appalling as they publicly showed that Swine Flu (H1N1) should be shown comical in public. Personally I find this appalling because 12,121 people have died (22/12/09 total) from swine flu and Paul Palmer’s issue of the Paper Boy was disgraceful because of the joke about swine flu made. Many people will be comically about it in their own way but to be publicly published as comedy is disgraceful, and also hurtful to all these affected families. I do not think this matter is to be joked about. Also First News is giving children the wrong impression of Swine Flu. I understand many parents wish to show it to their children in a comical way so they do not worry about themselves and carry on life as normal, but they are implying that this subject should be considered everywhere as comical to everybody. I feel sorry for the families that may have been affected by this hurtful cartoon.