Caragh Rellis, St Andrew's College, Blackrock, Co Dublin

I don't think the public should have been informed of the tragic case of the 13-year-old girl who was allegedly raped and pregnant. I understand from the newspaper reports that her father contacted the media, but this does not justify the extent of coverage. It is a private and extremely personal affair which has now been exploited by the media and politicians.

The parents were pursued by enthusiastic journalists asking them questions - they were like the paparazzi. It added to the pressure on everyone, from the girl herself to her parents and even the judge.

While invasion of the privacy of superstars and public figures is frowned upon after the Princess Diana tragedy, surely the invasion of the privacy of this unfortunate girl and her family should also be condemned.

Joanne Joyner, St Brigid's School, Tuam, Co Galway

Sports pages in all newspapers, both daily and weekly, are still dominated by men. On TV and radio, female events run a distant second to male fixtures.

It may come as a surprise to you that women also have teams in soccer, gaelic games and many other events previously associated with men. If women have had the strength and determination to succeed in these sports, with the odds stacked against them, surely they deserve equal press coverage.

It seems that a woman must win three Olympic gold medals, a standard never achieved by any Irish man, to get the attention she deserves.

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media scope is edited by Harry Browne.