Adjudication No. 1272  (adjudicated February 2005)

The Press Council has dismissed a complaint by Adrian Sowton against the Maroondah Journal, a suburban newspaper in Melbourne. Mr Sowton's complaint has two concerns: one is the publication of a letter from Andrew Conway in a response to an original letter from Mr Sowton, the other is the Journal's refusal to publish a second letter from Mr Sowton correcting what he sees as inaccuracies in Mr Conway's letter.

Mr Sowton claims that his reputation has been impugned by Mr Conway's letter and requests correction.

The Maroondah Journal declined to publish Mr Sowton's second letter because it believes both parties had their say and that it was of no further interest to the public to continue detailing an escalating personal dispute based in political antagonisms leading up to a federal election.

The Press Council has always agreed that the selection of the content for the highly sought-after Letters pages is an exercise in proper editorial decision and discretion. It is satisfied that the Maroondah Journal acted with due editorial discretion in not wanting to pursue this matter.

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