L.G.KING AGAINST THE LEVIN CHRONICLE
A complaint by Mr L.G.King of Foxton against the Levin Chronicle has been declined by the New Zealand Press Council.Mr King complained that the paper would not publish his letters to the editor. He wrote that letters he had sent for publication criticised the Horowhenua District Council. Newspapers today, Mr King said, seemed to protect councils and no longer looked after the public interest.
Dave Saunders, editor of the Levin Chronicle said Mr King was a regular corespondent. His lengthy letters sometimes were not strictly to the point. If they could be abridged or edited, they were published, but this was not always possible or acceptable.
The Press Council has long defended the right of an editor to select what, if any, letters should be published. In this case there was nothing to show the editor exercised that right in other than a professional manner. The complaint is not upheld.