Letter in response to advertorial story

Dear Editor,

This is in response to your article of November 25, 2010, entitled “Advertorial ‘media pirates’ set sail for Maldives.” I’m sure you are aware that calling us pirates is in essence calling us thieves, which as you well know is slander. I would like to set the record straight about Star Communications’ presence and activity in Maldives and provide accurate facts about our company and ask that you provide an honest solution to the problem you have created for our company.

As a credible news source or journalist it is your responsibility first and foremost to gather all information and hear all sides to any story. I am surprised that Star Communications was never contacted before you published this article. With all the information that you “provide” on our behalf, not once did you have the consideration to speak to us directly, why is that?

We would have been more than receptive to discuss any questions/concerns you might have had regarding our promotional report we are preparing on the Maldives. It is misleading readers to quote only one unnamed source and refer only to an undated article that has nothing to do with our agency. Furthermore our employee who is currently in the Maldives would have also been open to speak with you. We have never been contacted nor solicited for information. As you can imagine the article you published is not only damaging to our companies’ reputation but to our clients who understand that international exposure is highly beneficial for their respective companies.