Regular writers

I have been following with keen interest the anonymous letters as well as Osvaldo Coelho and Piero Ronci's responses. Actually, I would have abstained from comment but I feel it's not bad for me to talk only once. The reason is my belief in reconciliation.

First, natural freedom of expression should not be tempered with. So any anonymous writer must be given a chance to express his ideas which may, at times, be awful. I don't blame the editor for publishing the anonymous letters but I disagree with any anonymous letter that attacks other people's rights of expression.

Second, the regular writers (both Indonesians and foreigners) are enlightened people whose knowledge, wisdom and experience are beneficial to the readers. For example, we can benefit from Indonesian writers who have much to tell us about Indonesia. And us foreigners have much to inform the readers about, such as our culture, economy, politics, and lifestyle.

Imagine, as an African, I came here from a far corner of the world and was shocked to see the misinformation about Africa so pervasive in Asian countries due to Western media propaganda. In this case, what is wrong if I regularly write in to the Post in order to make accurate information available?

To the readers, I'd like to say that it takes a substantial amount of time to prepare a meaningful letter for the letters column, but its all for your own benefit. We have to consult books, magazines, journals or previous copies of The Jakarta Post yet we earn no single dollar for it. I believe that most of the readers will already know that a letter is accepted and published by the editor only if it's interesting, informative or has educational value. Therefore, it has become a professional norm to accept more letters from the same writer.

The "Your Letters" column is one of the main attractions for many readers. Would it have been so if there had been no regular writers?

BUHARI ABDU

Jakarta