THIS site's Forum and comment sections - like the paper's Readers' Times - is the place where anyone can have their say on local issues.

We aim to have as wide a range of views as possible in print and online but, as a number of our users appear to overlook, there are still laws of libel and defamation that govern what can and can't be said in print or online.

That's why we ask all our online users to agree to conform to certain standards when they sign on.

We ask you to act within the law and to observe certain standards of decency.

Anything that is potentially libellous or offensive will therefore, probably, be removed by a moderator.

If anyone complains about a comment or view they can report it and we will check it out.

That's why all our journalists have legal training to ensure we do not publish anything defamatory (even if our readers or online users have said it and not us) and also that they can act promptly to protect our freedoms (that's you and me and not just the Press).

These freedoms include the basic principle of open justice. That is, that justice must not only be done but be seen to be done.

So anyone appearing in a court of law has to have a very, very good reason before they can be be tried anonymously.

Or, to put it another way, a court of law has to have a very good reason to hold trials in secret. Or to try people without naming them.

Think about it....

One of the strengths of our system is that all men and women are equal before the Law.

Would you want justice to be so flexible that it could be used in one way for the rich, the powerful and the mighty and another for those who have little?

We hope our actions preserve all our liberties but I'd be interested to hear your views.