The Bay of Plenty Times welcomes letters and comments from readers. Below you can read the letters we have published in your newspaper today.
TODAY'S LETTERS:
Media can also find out the real facts
On the same day as Winston's 'Shameful trial of the media' (Bay of Plenty Times Weekend, July 9),
the editor rightly reminded us "that a free media is one of the cornerstones of our democracy, and it is something that the industry protects and handles with care".
For instance, space is given to Winston every Saturday, despite the fact that his relationship with the media has not always been a happy one.
The authorities believed that there was a prima facie case to charge Dominique Strauss Kahn (the former chief of the IMF) for rape.
The media brought world attention to this distressing affair, which could have been a lot worse if he was found guilty.
I believe the intense interest in the case was largely responsible for unearthing the truth - this was democracy working.
How many times have we incarcerated an innocent person who later has been found to be innocent, through the efforts of the public, and the media.
How many more innocent people are lingering in our jails because we sometimes get it wrong.
Democracy will never be perfect because we are not infallible. Winston has criticised the media on many occasions but has no qualms about using it for his own ends.
Ewen Lowden, Te Puke
Boobs on bikes
Re: Is Boobs on Bikes distasteful?
Interesting feedback from the haters; the poll on your site says that 59 per cent of Bay of Plenty Times readers don't think Boobs on Bikes is offensive.
Very amusing how church ministers refused to comment on my statement of fact. I mean what can they say? The evidence speaks for itself.
To the detractors, it is perfectly lawful for women to appear topless in public in NZ. Our laws forbid discrimination on the basis of sex - do you get all upset about the topless males that wander your streets and beaches in summer?
No? Then you are hypocrites and guilty of discrimination. See you on the 4th of August.
Steve Crow, Albany
Note from the Bay of Plenty Times: The online poll had a total of 271 votes
Text Views
* Boobs on bikes b gd 4 da bay bring ppl to twn, Councilors ned wakeup havnt they seen boobs b4, bring it on liv to ride bare ur boobs 4 us 2c
* What on earth is the point of boobs on bikes. Is is just someones selfish unintelligent pathetic sad way to bring attenting to themselves. What a stupid thing for our impressionable young people to aspire to. * Boobs-better cover up cows, and what about male hourse walking paddocks with there bits hanging out. Please dont look. Humans no differant its nature.
* Boobs on bikes.solution is in the hands of women.if they didnt take their cloths off it woujd be a non event they are Doing themselves a diservice .brucey
* Yay, Tga finally getting Boobs on Bikes 2 giv this city a bit of life and a gd laugh ! If u don, t lyk it don, t look. I say bring it on and yes, I, m female
* Bike parade-had interest frm tauranga MY FOOT!!Promo 4 akl expo u say now!!Ban it council pls.
* Steve crowe and the boob tour will tarnish our city we are a community of young families baby boomers and senior citizens with the right sort of morals. those that choose to take them off in public are lacking self respect and cheapening themselves. Cathryn Rosevear Pyes Pa
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