I was so pleased to see Colin Crilly's letter about the real heroes of Britain. Thank you for publishing it. I'm not holding my breath that you will publish mine, but I am writing anyway.

As a former journalist myself, I am dismayed at the attention the press and media give to soldiers and the military.

Do you and your colleagues never stop and think about what's really going on and who your articles serve?

Do you really believe that British soldiers are fighting for you and the general public?

Do you really think you are serving independent journalism and the greater good by your continued support of British imperialism?

Or perhaps you really are proud of your country's imperialist stance?

As a Zulu woman whose ancestors lost their lives defending our land and right to our way of life to British impostors over 200 years ago, I am so saddened that this generation of UK media professionals tows the line and backs the ruling elite no matter the consequences to human life, British or foreign.

Your condoning of illegal wars by your government only perpetuates the hoodwinking of the public and does a disservice to true democracy and rule of the people by the people.

It's why local councils like ours can have the audacity to try and make me pay £15,000 for windows I've never had or threaten with cancelling my lease.

Britain claims to be the oldest democratic country in the world, but it seems to me that the deeds of your governments, local and national, with media endorsement, would make the most vicious apartheid dictators blush with shame.

Thomas Paine, a true British hero once said, "We have it in our power to create the world anew".

He was absolutely right, but we can only create a better world if the media stopped being a propaganda machine for the government and actually questioned its policies.

You have it in your power to be that which you are supposed to be - the voice of the people that challenges governments and promotes real democracy, rather than the sham we're all coerced into abiding by.

Will you not lead the way?

Gugulethu oka Mseleku; Battersea

Do you agree? Disagree? Leave your comments below or send a letter to: letters@wandsworthguardian.co.uk.

 

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