| Subject: Freedom of the Press and the responsibility of those who exercise it... |
Author:
Ned Depew
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Date Posted: 09:15:46 06/21/05 Tue
In reply to:
Thomas Koulos
's message, "Freedom of the Press" on 03:21:43 06/21/05 Tue
Tom -
I have to say, judging by what you have posted here, that I am not surprised that the R-S, the Indie and other papers are hesitant to publish some of your letters.
When you post on specific issues of which you have some first-hand knowledge and about which you have done some thinking, you often have an interesting and unique perspective, from which others can learn.
But too often you seem to disregard the old adage "make sure brain is running before engaging mouth." And certainly a public newspaper has to be even more thoughtful and careful about posting generalized complaining about such abstract (and possibly imaginary) groups as the "Gods of Olana" and "NIMBY visioneries."
You know what I object to here: mean-spirited carping, gratuitous attacks on generalized targets, nasty sarcasm, incoherent gibberish, irresponsible accusations (again, directed at generalized, possibly imaginary "groups") with no factual support, etc., etc., etc. I think the local papers object to the same things - and they, because of their more public postion and wider circulation have an even higher degree of responsibility to their readers than I have to mine.
I suggest that rather than railing about being shut out of the papers, you talk with the Letters Editors and ask them what it is about your letters to which they object and get specific guidleines for writing to them.
I have never had a problem getting a letter published in either paper - whether it agreed with the paper's editorial postition or attacked it (although under Molenda, there was often considerable foot-dragging between the time my letters were received and the time they were published!). I think the key is to make your argument concisely, in clear language and without personal attacks or snide remarks.
Like me, the newspapers insist that if you are going to take advantage of their platform you meet minimum guidelines - not of content, but of form - relevancy, coherence and respect for others are central (as they are here!).
I would hate to lose the insight of your counsel when you are at your best, Tom, but that is up to you with the newspapers as it is here. If you will take time to express your interesting thoughts in a way that is respectful of others, apropos to the issues and shows a clear case based on facts and specific events, I don't think you'll have any trouble getting your letters published.
Good luck
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