A reader writes a letter to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution:

Here’s a question that has come up a few times in recent months: “Why does the AJC allow letter writers to make statements that aren’t factual?”

Once it’s printed in the newspaper, it’s highly possible that someone will adopt the statement as fact, said Barbara Latimer, a reader from Rockdale County. Perhaps the newspaper should run a small disclaimer with the letter for clarity’s sake, she said.

Editorial page editor Cynthia Tucker once believed all letters should be factually accurate, but now she’s more likely to let readers have their say and let others decide whether the letter writer is indeed stating facts.

“I believe there is such a thing as an objective truth, but a lot of readers have an objective truth that differs from mine,” she said.

Sweet Jesus. Her examples:

Tucker says the AJC has printed many letters from readers insisting that PeachCare has run out of money because so many illegal immigrants are on the rolls. “That’s not true, but if we don’t print those letters, those readers will believe we’re biased,” she said.

And:

Readers who still believe Iraq had weapons of mass destruction that they were taking to Syria are allowed to express that view even though it is clearly not true.

Tucker seems to misunderstand the role of the press. “Giving people their say” is fine, but when letters are provably false, or not supported by any facts whatsoever, the paper isn’t informing its readers. It is misinforming them.