I have read your newspaper many times but this is the first time I have written. I suppose I should say I am compelled to write to register my distaste at the gratuitously offensive diatribe written by Daphne Caruana Galizia on the subject of breast-feeding (TMID, 7 September).

We all have our own opinions and we are entitled to them, as is your writer. But “the pen is mightier than the sword”, hence writers should feel a responsibility about what they write and the way they write it. I know for certain that many of the assumptions, indeed allegations, that your writer makes are just plain wrong and there is plenty of proper evidence to that effect. I note your writer does not cite such evidence, but rather appears to have the attitude: “I have made up my mind, don’t confuse me with the facts”.

The sad part about it is that many mothers who want to breast-feed, sometimes without support, and who find it difficult to do so, may be affected by this article, to the detriment of themselves and their babies.

Whether someone thinks breast-feeding is a good thing or not, (as with any other subject) it would be nice if they put forward their views in a reasonable and reasoned way rather than use the dramatic confrontational style that for many people gives the press a bad name.

How nice it would be if you now commissioned an article on breast-feeding from the other angle – I might say the loving angle – since that is what breast-feeding really is, an act of love.

In passing, and trying to keep this letter as short as possible, I cannot fail to point out that your writer seems to have a strange idea of sex if she thinks that a baby breast-feeding is using the “secondary sexual organs” and “performing a bodily function”. The baby is feeding, period. Are you going to ban feeding in pubic places? No more restaurants because eating is a bodily function.

Anyway, perhaps your writer will experiment by taking her meals in the toilet and report back if she feels this is an acceptable place to eat.

There is so much more to say against this article, but I dare say you will have a few more letters on the subject.

Charles Kemp

Chichester, England