Adjudication No. 1444  (adjudicated October 2009)

The Australian Press Council has upheld a complaint made by Amelia Willmer against the Gold Coast Sun relating to publication of a letter on August 27, 2009.

The subject letter was published in response to a previous letter on the issue of conscription, lamenting the reception of servicemen on their return from service as "baby killers". The second letter, which is the subject of the complaint, effectively compared Viet Cong women to animals and supported the controlled genocide of their children.

Ms Willmer complained that the letter was racist, vicious and misogynistic.

The newspaper stated that it does not necessarily condone the views of its contributors, and accepts that its readers have differing views. According to the newspaper, all letters received in relation to this issue were published.

Ms Willmer chose not to submit a letter to the newspaper, stating that she did not wish to keep the sentiments alive in the public domain nor afford the letter-writer a further right to vent.

Newspapers have wide discretion when publishing reader views, but in this instance the newspaper has clearly crossed the line, by publishing a letter that is grossly offensive.

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