12 APRIL 1986, Page 26

Editors and censors

Sir: In his admirable television commen- tary 'The absurdity of censorship' (5 April) I find it surprising that Alexander Chancel- lor, of all people, should fail to recognise the requisite in almost all communication of editorial control. Censorship is, of course, absurd but editorial judgments there have to be. A good and respected editor, whether in television or anything else, is not regarded by his contributors as exercising a 'censorship' when operating his editorial function. Or he should not be. Censorship, I suggest, is a word too easily used. It should be reserved for application when editorial standards appear to fall into disrepute.

Robert Lusty

Broad Close, Blockley, Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire