Keep those letters coming
The Letters to the Editor blog is doing brisk business.
Readers seem to appreciate a chance for ongoing, almost real-time discussions of the issues.
Boy is this is untilled ground for us, and we're not sure where it will lead. But I'm guessing it will be somewhere good.
Some of you have raised questions and concerns about this new initiative; I'll attempt to answer a few here.
1. Doesn't this new approach cheapen the value of a published letter, which must be verified, edited, etc., before is printed?
I don't think so. If anything, it enhances that value by extending the letter's reach beyond the printed newspaper.
Then it adds the dimension of instant reactions and allows the writer even to respond to the responses.
The printed letter by itself is more static. It appears in the paper. The letters reacting to it may appear days later. End of story.
The writer can't respond to the reactions because he or she is prohibited from having his next letter published for at least another 30 days (that's a space issue more than anything else).
2. Knowing someone could bash them in anonymous comments, will letter writers be more trigger-shy or restrained in expressing their views?
I doubt it. Most of our letter writers relish a debate. And it's kind of a rush to see people buzzing about something you've written.
I wouldn't mind, however, if the instant reactions discourage people who are casual with their facts or who pick up urban legends off the Internet and repeat them as fact.
3. What if someone posts a comment containing objectionable language? We will delete it.
4. Do you worry that the blog will decrease the flow of traditional, print-edition letters?
Not really. Again, I think the blog will extend the reach and vitality of each letter. Or least that's what I'm hoping.
Sure, some people prefer to cloak their opinions in anonymity.
But letters are like little personal columns with bylines. Many of our letter writers prefer having their names attached to their opinions.
And don't forget, many who post comments on blogs choose not to be anonymous.
To all of this I add this disclaimer: These responses are merely hunches. This is a new type of forum and, frankly, we're making some of this up as we go.
Which is to say, I could be wrong. Stay tuned.
Comments (1)
To report abuse of the comment feature on this site, please use the feedback form at the bottom of any page.
peponia entonos II tv roga sylloges II asimantos skata II pio kryo nosokoma II porrig fetis II pillutk huora II pissing sexamator II filmer endefuld II remsa naken karlek II snuskig klipp II pilkallinen neitsyt II cunt kohellus II sadunomainen aasialainen nyrkki II kivempi lehmitytto rakas II sexiga lina prostituerad II dick konstgjord fitta II fri knulla video II remsa kata killar II chaud poupee sodomie II jeune du cul a la bouche au bureau II intens student rompepuling II anselig berter sex II sheepish asiatiche sexldo II de cecco II binteo epiheirisi eikona II sex melahroini eleytheros II flickor suga av den pa kontoret II tjejer gruppen pa kontoret II
Posted on October 19, 2006 4:38 AM