Many here currently witness their local newspaper apparently shield, if not actually promote, outrageous and dangerous conspiracy theorists by circulating copious, unfounded nonsense written under bogus names.

Surely correspondents should have the courage and decency to write under their own names and if so, the population might not have to undergo so much division and vitriol.

Does not the press have a responsibility for openness and transparency, and if not, what are they up to?

J Pentney

Painswick nr. Stroud