Newspapers' job is to report results for lay readers

EDITOR,—Richard Smith's comments about the Independent show a complete misunderstanding of national newspapers, their audience, and their purpose.1 It is absurd to apply the sort of critical appraisal used for papers published in medical journals to our news coverage.

The Independent addresses an informed, intelligent, lay readership. We provide clear, unbiased coverage that is accessible to all. In reporting the results of research our priority is to take the most interesting and relevant points …