Letters to The Editor — November 11, 2025

Credibility and trust

The recent resignations of BBC’s leadership following the ‘mis-editing’ of a speech by U.S. President Donald Trump underscore a core truth: news agencies are not only conveyors of facts but also the custodians of trust. Correspondents and editors must adhere to the core principles of accuracy, context and impartiality. When these are compromised — as when snippets are splice-edited to mislead — the consequence is not just embarrassment but also the erosion of institutional integrity. The lesson for all media is this: ethical lapses ripple outward, undermining democracy’s information infrastructure and public confidence alike (‘World’ page – Panel, November 10).

Gopalaswamy J.,

Chennai

Shroud of air pollution

At this time of the year, Delhi, once again, finds itself caught in the throes of severe air pollution. It is distressing to see the citizens of Delhi suffer year after year from toxic air, despite the capital being home to the nation’s top political leadership. For over a decade, the issue has been discussed and debated, yet real action remains missing. Smog control towers, often non-functional, have done little to clean the air. This reflects poorly on governance. The continued neglect of such a public health crisis shows the lack of sincerity and responsibility among politicians and officials. Politicians need to make public welfare the guiding principle of politics and governance, rising above narrow interests to serve the larger public good.

V. Nagarajan,

Chennai

Pets and pests

I write this letter as a 90-year-old retired veterinarian. The entire discourse about stray dogs and pets reminds me of the adage, “to be unable to see the wood for the trees”. The issue is not about pets but about pests. The significant difference in the numbers of stray dogs, from some thousands in 2018 to a lakh or more now, reveals the inefficacy of the present strategy. Human health and safety should be the priorities — there must be the culling of pests and the encouragement of only pets.

Dr. T.N. Varadharajan,

Chennai