LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Death by merger
Sir: May I correct two serious errors in Dr Peter Smith's account (24 October) of the New Scientist- Science Journal merger?
First, we do not have a 'press deadline almost a week before publication'. Our normal deadline is 11.30 am on Tuesday; press copies go out on Wednesday after- noon, and the magazine is on the bookstalls on Thursday morning. Recently we have had to bring the deadline forward to Monday after- noon. but we will be reverting to Tuesday shortly. I am surprised that Dr Smith. an ex-contributor to New Scientist, should make such a mistake, particularly as he uses it to justify his silly aside about us regarding ourselves, 'if a little ob- sessively at times, as a news maga- zine'.
Second, the allegation that New Scientist staff have been 'threatened with disciplinary action if they re- fuse to work the merger' is simply untrue.
What a pity Dr Smith should spoil an interesting story with such mistakes. He could easily have checked either allegation—the first by reading the magazine, the second by ringing the publisher of New Scientist or the father of our NW chapel. He might even have saved himself a phone call by ask- ing me about both matters.
Bernard Dixon Editor, New Scientist, 128 Long Avenue. London wc2
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