Fairness Please (Writer complains to Observer about homophobia letter series)

Dear Editor,

I appreciate the latitude you permit for letters and commentary in your newspaper, but remain a little perturbed at the amount of space you allow certain regular contributors.

The debate about homosexuality, homophobia and buggery, as it relates to Jamaican culture and the constitution, has been allotted more than its fair share of column space in your letters section.

From the writing style, language used and issues raised, I believe that the writer of many of the letters and subsequent responses is the same person. I am curious to know why this person, operating under pseudonyms and aliases is being allowed so much time and space in the Observer.

I firmly believe that the paper encourages and upholds the right to freedom of speech and expression, but I am beginning to wonder whether the Observer is quietly positioning itself to become the platform for the promotion of gay rights and the right to freedom to participte in buggery.

I believe that what may be perceived as the preferential treatment shown by you to contributors who seek the advancement of gay rights, (but who may be too cowardly to come out of the closet and campaign openly), is starting to cloud the once stellar transparency, truthfulness and unbiased image of the Observer.

Peter Myers

trinipanmaestro@yahoo.com