StigmaWatchers reported that The North-West News ran an opinion piece on 20.2.08 entitled ‘Mentally ill tenants unwelcome’ by G. Morgans of Enoggera, QLD.

The article, written by a reader and published by The North-West News, expressed strong opinions on people with a mental illness living in the community. Two statements of great concern compared people with a mental illness to ‘law abiding’ and ‘good living’ tenants, implying that those with a mental illness are criminal and dangerous.

StigmaWatch contacted Andrew Dawson, editor of The North-West News, to urge exclusion of future letters such as this, on the basis that they encourage fear and misunderstanding.

Mr Dawson  ran several letters from readers arguing against G. Morgans and offered the following comment:

‘The response has been hostile against the letter writer.  And rightly so.  I was uncomfortable with his views. But we live in a democratic society and that person was entitled to his view. It was interesting to see his views swamped by his peers.’