EDITORIAL: Important words for letter writers
Letter writers, please note the revised Letters Policy in the box on this page.
The policy now better reflects what this three-times-a-week (Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays) forum in The Press represents, and how to ensure your written thoughts are shared with tens of thousands of readers.
The first change is emphasis on asking writers to weigh in on local and regional issues. That doesn’t mean national and international topics are forbidden, just that opinions on those issues proliferate on seemingly endless platforms, so priority will be given to thoughts by local people on local issues. That's what Press readers have been telling us they want for many years.
Next, we’re reminding people to keep it civil. That includes asking writers to share their thoughts without discriminating against classes of citizens. Even when speech (or in this case, writing) isn’t intended to be harmful, editors will err on the side of civility when deciding which letters are worthy of publication.
Finally, and this point also is critically important, letter writers must include their name, city of residence (or county if you live outside a municipality), and daytime telephone number where you can be reached. Failure to do so means the letter will be automatically rejected.
It doesn’t happen often, but sometimes writers use fake names, especially when a letter is particularly nasty. When in doubt, Press editors will contact writers to confirm authorship or to clarify something that's confusing or questionable in a letter.
The Press letters policy has long unofficially been a 250-word maximum. That, too, is changing; editors are allowing an extra 25 words when writers find a little more literary leeway necessary to effectively communicate their viewpoint.
As always, publishing preference will be given to Press subscribers, particularly when space in the print edition is limited. Only Press subscribers will be permitted to weigh in with candidate endorsement letters, a perk for being a customer and a citizen who cares enough about the community to follow what’s happening via a news source that’s been informing readers since 1892.
Thanks to all of you for reading.
Yes, and for writing.