RSS
Some types of letters we'd rather not get
We love getting letters to the editor — for obvious reasons because that’s our goal. The Opinion Page is based on being a forum for readers to express their views.
As expected, one person’s opinion often leads to a response from several people, often expressing the opposite view.
That’s OK. That’s why we established the page.
But there is one type of letter that we’re not real happy to receive — again for obvious reasons. That’s a letter from an irate reader who disagreed with an editorial or opinion and rather than express his own view, he states he is canceling the paper.
We can’t argue with how the individual feels but it is apparent that his actions are short sighted and he is close-minded. The Opinion Page was established as just that, a page for readers to express their views. Certainly not everyone agrees on a certain topic or issue and so dissension is a given.
Probably the most frustrating aspect is dealing with people who can’t stand to have their opinions challenged. Maybe it’s a sign of the times or maybe it’s always been that way, But since I’ve been Editorial Page Editor, such letters have been continuous but fortunately not in heavy volume. Every once and a while I get such a letter.
If, after explaining the purpose of the page and why there are letters he may not agree with, the individual insists on still canceling the paper, there’s not much I can do. However, I believe most people like the debate and the pro and con discussions that the Opinion Page helps foster.
Sometimes, again not very often thank God, I get a letter from a reader who threatens to cancel his subscription for a reason that has nothing to do with the Opinion Page. In fact, it has nothing to do with the Editorial Department.
Recently, one such reader expressed extreme aggravation over the half page ad that frequently covers the left side of the front page. There’s also a full back page ad. He said the ad was irritating and made it difficult to read the section. His solution was to just throw the page and a half advertisement away. Because of his dislike for the advertisement, he wanted to cancel his subscription. He wasn’t the first express disfavor over such advertisements. However, when I explained to him that the ad, as inconvenient as it might be, was providing badly needed revenue to the newspaper, he seemed to mellow a bit. Most people usually understand and their anger wanes. Occasionally, they still cancel the paper but fortunately most people are reasonable and can accept a reasonable answer to their concerns.
There are reasons for the policies that we follow on the Opinion Page and I’ll be happy to explain them to anyone who has a question or comment. I can’t guarantee all readers will accept the explanation but I’ll be glad to listen to their concerns. E-mail me at allan.adler@oakpress.com, call me at (248) 745-4626 or just comment below.
As expected, one person’s opinion often leads to a response from several people, often expressing the opposite view.
That’s OK. That’s why we established the page.
But there is one type of letter that we’re not real happy to receive — again for obvious reasons. That’s a letter from an irate reader who disagreed with an editorial or opinion and rather than express his own view, he states he is canceling the paper.
We can’t argue with how the individual feels but it is apparent that his actions are short sighted and he is close-minded. The Opinion Page was established as just that, a page for readers to express their views. Certainly not everyone agrees on a certain topic or issue and so dissension is a given.
Probably the most frustrating aspect is dealing with people who can’t stand to have their opinions challenged. Maybe it’s a sign of the times or maybe it’s always been that way, But since I’ve been Editorial Page Editor, such letters have been continuous but fortunately not in heavy volume. Every once and a while I get such a letter.
If, after explaining the purpose of the page and why there are letters he may not agree with, the individual insists on still canceling the paper, there’s not much I can do. However, I believe most people like the debate and the pro and con discussions that the Opinion Page helps foster.
Sometimes, again not very often thank God, I get a letter from a reader who threatens to cancel his subscription for a reason that has nothing to do with the Opinion Page. In fact, it has nothing to do with the Editorial Department.
Recently, one such reader expressed extreme aggravation over the half page ad that frequently covers the left side of the front page. There’s also a full back page ad. He said the ad was irritating and made it difficult to read the section. His solution was to just throw the page and a half advertisement away. Because of his dislike for the advertisement, he wanted to cancel his subscription. He wasn’t the first express disfavor over such advertisements. However, when I explained to him that the ad, as inconvenient as it might be, was providing badly needed revenue to the newspaper, he seemed to mellow a bit. Most people usually understand and their anger wanes. Occasionally, they still cancel the paper but fortunately most people are reasonable and can accept a reasonable answer to their concerns.
There are reasons for the policies that we follow on the Opinion Page and I’ll be happy to explain them to anyone who has a question or comment. I can’t guarantee all readers will accept the explanation but I’ll be glad to listen to their concerns. E-mail me at allan.adler@oakpress.com, call me at (248) 745-4626 or just comment below.
posted by Allan Adler at
11:26 AM
3 Comments:
I, too, hate that half folded ad on the front page & removing it and putting it in recycling is the first thing I do with the paper. But the thing I'm hating even more right now - why is it that on some days, Section A is divided into 3-4 sections? I sit down to read a front page story, and the front section is only 4 pages, and the story is continued on page A-17, forcing me to sift through a bunch of other sections? Then, I have to go back to the front page to get to the next story I want to read. I don't mind having front page sections continued later IN THE SAME SECTION, but what is the point of this? Does having several section As provide "badly needed revenue" instead of one large section A? I doubt it. It is only serving to irritate your subscribers in addition to the half page ad wrap.
Count me amongst those who detest that half page wrap around, and everybody I know that reads the Oakland Press hates it as well. You're supposed to be putting out a product that's pleasing to the readers, remember? If it's a matter of revenue, perhaps the staff at the Oakland Press should make concessions and tighten their belts to make ends meet, like they advise everybody else to do. Funny how you never run an editorial about that.
Speaking of tough to read, your web site is crazy with ads. I understand the need for advertising revenue, but I find your site difficult to navigate and annoying to look at.
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home