Letter to the Editor: Responding to readers wouldn’t be unfair

Editor,

I can appreciate the objectivity that the editors strive to maintain in running the newspaper. But when there is such a strong feeling expressed in a multitude of letters, it is an abrogation of responsablilty to ignore it, claiming to preserve free speach.

Ms. Nelson and staff have decided to continue to run the Persian Peacock ad “based on precedent and a desire to keep this paper as censor-free as possible.” What kind of precedent is being set? Everytime the Persian Peacock runs an ad with scantily clad women there is strong oposition to it. Continue this policy if reader alienation is what is wanted.

As for censorship, I don’t believe it is unfair to respond to the readers. Perhaps the ad could be changed and a compromise reached as in the examples mentioned in Ms Nelson’s column. If the Statesman is unwilling to respond to their readers, they’ll lose them.

There is a time and place for everything, including fine art. Just because an ad may contain fine art doesn’t make it appropriate. This is not the place for this piece of art. Please pull the ad or work with the Persian Peacock to change it.

Jonathan Abbot