Why won't The Independent print this letter?
Neil O'Brien 10:37pmOn Thursday, when I saw that The Independent had reprinted almost word for word Foreign Office talking points without attribution or any indication to its readers that this is what it was up to, I sent in a letter to the editor. Oddly enough, it hasn’t yet been published. If the Indy is “completely unapologetic” about what it did, why is it so scared of its readers finding out about it?
------Original Message------
To: letters@independent.co.uk
Sent: 18 Oct 2007 11:19 AM
Subject: For publication.
How amazing that the Independent should simply reproduce a foreign office briefing note on the EU on page three without any attribution of its source.
Thinking back to the ideals that launched the paper perahaps it is time to change the name to something more appropriate - "the glove puppet" perhaps?
Neil O'Brien,
Director, Open Europe
7 Tufton St
Previous
Comments
TPattison
October 22nd, 2007 10:55pmPerahaps it is time to proof read, perhaps?
Lee Jakeman
October 22nd, 2007 11:56pmI think you've missed the point, Neil. In England, the word "independent" means "unaccountable". When people talk about "the independence of the BBC" they mean "the unaccountability of the BBC". And when the Indy uses the line "The Independent - it is, are you?", translate "the Unaccountable - it is, are you?". To which the only decent reply would be "No, frankly".
Napoleon
October 23rd, 2007 1:25am"Why won't The Independent print this letter?" Basically because they don't want to print...
Max Kaye
October 23rd, 2007 9:27amTurkeys don't vote for Christmas
Tom
October 23rd, 2007 11:55amA spelling mistake in a four line letter doesn't help its chances really.
Lee Rotherham
October 24th, 2007 2:42pmFunnily enough, you're not the only one. I too spotted the similarity, and sent in a letter that very morning. So they can't say it was because you were the only one writing in on the subject. Still, I drafted it more to get my blood pressure down than in expectation of them printing it.