Guernsey Press

Anonymity can be justified in some cases

EVERY once in a while authors send their contributions to the letters page about one particular subject: anonymity. I am an ardent reader of the letters page and over the last couple of weeks I have seen and read three or four about this subject. Furthermore, all authors of these recent letters seem unanimous in proclaiming that contributors should not be allowed to hide under the veil of anonymity, that they should publish their name and address for each letter they send to the Guernsey Press and words such as ‘courageous’ and ‘being brave’ were utilised.

Published

I have written many letters to the Guernsey Press on wide-ranging subjects and I believe at least 75% of these had ‘name and address withheld’ on them, which I justifiably asked for.

All people who ask for anonymity to be placed on their letters do so for many reasons. Some do it to protect their family and property, others do it to ensure they still have a job, while more people do it because the contents of the letters could be personal and I am sure there are other important reasons as well. I would not call it ‘courageous’ for these people to attach their names and address to a letter for the above to happen to them, I would call it plain stupidity. If you have nothing to fear then put your name and address on your letters, but there are plenty of people who have important observations and statements to make who do have plenty to lose and to suggest that a letter is not worth reading just because of anonymity is quite a short-sighted viewpoint to have. Finally, kudos to the Guernsey Press for allowing people to have voices and to ensure that these are heard with or without anonymity.

PS: Like most people, I do not know who the fabled ‘Bob’ is, but since his advertisement in the Press highlighting what is wrong with our current government and deputies, he has gained quite a reputation. Well done ‘Bob’, I look forward reading more of your articles.

KEVIN HAINSWORTH,

GY2 4AP.