Breaking News: Michael Scales Expresses Outrage Over Professor Karikari’s Misguided Reaction!!!!

Dear Mr.Editor,

                        May I swiftly come to the defence of the Editors of The Freedom Newspaper.It disturbs me and confuses me that Professor Kari Kari of The Media Foundation for West Africa {MFWA} , should word such a communication so surreptitiously towards this honourable Newspaper.

Any fair minded observer to the growing status of online debate, would accept that to censor public opinion in any form,dissudes the right of freedom of expression from every disenfranchised member of society.The online forum accepts that contributions taken,are not only from those with skills emanating from Journalistic experience,but also from ordinary members of society, from diverse backgrounds,who are encouraged to express opinion.Not all opinion can be interrogated for its content or its originality or even its entire correctness or truth.The question for the online providers is ..do you prohibit and censor or refuse opinion,or do you print all with some small content omissions to guard against offence to decency or the breaking of existing laws which protect against libel and slander?

In the twelve months that I have closely examined the online debate surrounding African issues and politics,I am certain that the Freedom Newspaper, has allowed opinion and as far as is possible and has acted within the limiting responsibilities which very much, are a developing form of freedom of expression.It is inevitable that mistakes will be made and that stories accepted in good faith will from time to time be either economical with the truth or that honest mistakes will be apparent.I would be the first to say, that I do not agree with all that is written on Freedom Newspaper, or that personal attacks against individuals who can not reply,because of circumstance,are entirely fair.I would also acknowledge that allowing editorials or comment from those who hide under false identities is at times an affront to those who come here in broad daylight and in full glare, to face anonymous and unprovoked  attack.

However, I further say that without this avenue open to everyone, The African would have no other safe means of expressing their concerns or opinions.

The nature of oppression and suppression of opinion from individuals by African Government is the underlying cause of the emergence of the online debate. I have always been confident, that those who come to view this forum are intelligent enough to be persuaded or dissuaded by the editorial content viewed and the opinions expressed. As such their should be no cause for alarm by anyone, especially African Government ,which at time gives the impression of adolescence at the expense of maturity.

My understanding of  the cause of MFWA is to support the rights of Journalists to express their commentaries with some responsibility. That those who have been persecuted for this basic human right are entitled to protection and redress through the law. This cause is entirely honourable and underpinned by Community Law and the International Convention on Human Rights.I would respectfully canvass from Professor Kari Kari an acknowledgement of my argument and a further explanation of his unfortunate commentary on the unintentional mistake  by This newspaper, which they ...The Freedom Newspaper have expeditiously corrected.

                                 Written in good faith..Michael Scales ..United Kingdom.