Freedom of speech is no excuse for being offensive

This website is probably the most open and democratic website on the Internet, at least the Editorial team would like to think so.  

It is not our intention to be knowingly offensive to anyone.  If anyone has been offended in the past then we are sorry.   We say this because the buck has to stop somewhere and someone has to say it.

Being in office and in a position of authority calls for scrutiny and comments arising from this can often be taken the wrong way - but we feel that our Readers Letters are written with good intentions.

Provoking insults with cartoons resulted in a reaction in France some time ago and this is just one example of how the freedom of the press can go to far.   It is often a tight-rope situation and a question of balance - getting it right is not always an easy task.

Remember that letters are accepted in good faith and user names are allowed.  This avoids conflicts within the family and friends with opposing views.   As one reader once wrote: "If my wife knew I was writing this and expressing this view she would divorce me".   We have said before that pen-names are often used by reporters in newspapers - we therefore feel that this website is no exception in the reporting world.