OnTheWight always welcomes a Letter to the Editor to share with our readers – unsurprisingly they don’t always reflect the views of this publication. If you have something you’d like to share, get in touch and of course, your considered comments are welcome below.
This from Peter Shreeve, Ed
So many reasons to feel concerned over world events. Much reporting of which seems missing wider accuracy and truth. It begs the question: Are people interested in telling or hearing the truth anymore?
After the Trump and Zelensky meeting, a BBC reporter said that it started to go wrong, after the question: “Why don’t you wear a suit?”, followed by laughter from some including the Vice-President.
Questioner, Brian Glenn, claimed Zelensky was being disrespectful in his dress and attitude. Glenn works for ‘Real America’s Voice’. Their live news tag-line: “number one source for patriotic daytime news and analysis”. Only one-sided patriotic analysis then?
Zelensky’s reply,
“I will wear the costume after this war will finish. Yes, maybe something like yours. Yes? Maybe something better? I don’t know. We will see. Maybe something cheaper. Thank you.”
Brian Glenn, the Vice-president and others should have afforded the visitor greater respect, especially after Trump had said: “I do like your clothing”. Perhaps, if Trump and supporters were better informed, every visitor could be afforded common courtesy.
Moreover, should Glenn have been given a rare Oval Office interviewer spot after the White House appeared to block several groups from attending presidential briefings?
‘White House takes control of press pool that covers Trump’, reported the BBC citing the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA), who said this meant “tears at the independence of a free press”.
News must be fair, accurate and unbiased. Too often the truth becomes white noise, overwhelmed by frequent untruths. The consequence: “If you repeat a lie often enough, people will believe it, and you will even come to believe it yourself.”
Even more so, if leaders fail to have close access to differing views and opinions.
