Dear David,

Why can't the ABC publish a book on Alan Jones? He is a powerful man and the public broadcaster (or any private broadcaster) has a legitimate interest in knowing more about him.

As an academic who has always championed the cause of free speech, I am surprised that you should criticise the ABC for considering the publication. Indeed, there is little doubt that the book would have sold a handsome number of copies, which would help the ABC to defray its production costs in other areas, with a net benefit to taxpayers. Chris Masters should be praised for giving the ABC first option.

I wonder if you saw the ABC's "Chaser" program last week: their video out-takes of Mr Jones ranting at ABC staff (including some exceptionally fruity language) offered an insight into Mr Jones that few people in the public are privileged to witness. It was eye-opening.

As an erstwhile civil libertarian, I am amazed that you would be critical of anyone for attempting to publish the book.

Give it a rest, Flinty. You havent had an original word to say. Ever. Everything you've ever published has been a variation on one theme......rabidly pro-right wing, pro-monarchy, anti-everything and everybody who disagrees with you, and screaming tanties and hissy fits if anybody dares to disagree with you or your fellow travellers Howard and Jones. You're a pedant. We only hear so much from you because you've been sacked so many times you're constantly 'available' for comment. Get over yourself...we all have.

Precious prissy pontification presenting pathetic problems. Personal perception prevents piquant plans promoting previous promises. Perfect!

Professor Flint's comments make a lot of sense.

Relative to the quality of his frequent contributions, (ex) Professor Flint seems to get more than a reasonable run in The Australian and ineviatble recycled through On Line Opinion. And in this context, we should recall his publically avowed admiration for Alan Jones even when Flint was required to investigate cash for comment allegations against Jones - later found to be substantiated. His is hardly an independent voice.

Readers of The Age (10 July) might have seen the article by Matthew Ricketson, media and communications editor. He reminds us that Bob Mansfield, a former managing director of McDonald's in Australia, was asked in 1996 by the federal Coalition Government to review the ABC. Mansfield, hardly a left-wing ideologue nor a fool, found no left-wing bias or imbalance at the ABC.

Ricketson reminds us that at the time of his enquiry, Mansfield said, "I've been in business for quite a while and most businesses would give their right arm to have the relationship with the customer the way the ABC has with their listeners."

Flind tries to argue that Jones's "private life may well be interesting to the public but it is certainly not in the public interest to publish that". Flint fails to take account of the fact that Jones and his employers are making a fortune from a publically-granted license to broadcast - a privilege denied to many who would like to have such power. Moreover, Jones has made a living tearing down - or shoring up - the reputation of other Australians. Are we not entitled to know what manner of man is he who pontificates about other people's virtues?

I believe David Flint is one of the reasons the old generation of conservative politics in Australia has gone so down-hill. In response to political correctness, the conservatives have opted for political erectness. They associated "softness" with the Left and will do anything that makes them look "hard-core".

Conservatives will jump on any bandwagon opposed by the Left. Hence, if the Left attacks someone discredited for a legitimate reason, the old generation of conservatives will support that person.

Alan Jones has done alot of good. He has also done plenty of stupid things. His apparent support for the sentiments of the Cronulla riots was stupid. His response (and that of the ABC) to the impending publication of Masters' book is (in my opinion) even more stupid.

The Left opposed the stoned and drunken sentiments of the Cronulla riots. But senile pseudo-conservatives like Keith Windschuttle, John ("Joh for PM") Stone and others (whose articles only get published in the low-selling Oz) will use this as sufficient reason to support these sentiments. Does Flint fit within this mould? Time will tell.

For many Aussie Muslims, David Flint will be remembered as the man who awarded a community radio license to a tiny fringe intolerant Lebanese Muslim group known to represent and promote the interests of the Syrian Ba'ath Party. Two senior members of the group are currently on trial in terrorism-related charges in Beirut.

I can only speculate Flint supported their application after thinking Bashir el-Assaad was opposed by the Left!