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Some letters we just can't publish
The Oakland Press prides itself on being a forum for its readers.
So, we try to run almost all of the letters to the editor that we receive.
As I’ve stated, we publish them on a first-come, first-serve basis. We attempt to get them in as soon as possible but space is limited and so there’s usually a backlog of letters of one or two weeks. Sometimes longer.
We’ll make every effort to get letters to conform to the requirements. The limit is 250 words and so those that are longer will either be trimmed by us or by the author.
But there are some letters that we just must reject, usually because they are too insulting and often blatantly racist.
Generally, letters to the editor must not contain profanity. Just one or two words could be edited out but a letter that is filled with vulgar epithets is not worth the editing effort.
Sometimes letters get too personal. We can sympathy with someone who is going through some difficult times but repeating their troubles in a letter to the editor isn’t quite appropriate. For example, we get letters from people being evicted or who are having tough financial or health problems. We sympathize and, where possible, refer them to other sources, such as social services agencies.
Admittedly, sometimes they tell us their troubles to make a point about an issue or situation. In such cases, we may relent and run that letter. Sometimes it’s obvious and the letter is just too personal. Sometimes it’s a judgment call.
Occasionally, the letter is not just too long but ridiculously extensive. Letters must be around 250 words and the guest opinions can go 550 to 660. Guest opinions, by the way, are restricted to those who have some expertise on a topic. And we’ve also allowed politicians to write guest opinions by virtue of their positions. But some letters are literally a 1000 words or more.
We also turn down letters that make false accusations or use incorrect facts to make a point.
Considerable effort is made to work with a letter writer to make his opinion piece conform to the policy and ultimately get printed.
But sometimes, even with a concerted, substantial effort, the letters must be rejected.
So, we try to run almost all of the letters to the editor that we receive.
As I’ve stated, we publish them on a first-come, first-serve basis. We attempt to get them in as soon as possible but space is limited and so there’s usually a backlog of letters of one or two weeks. Sometimes longer.
We’ll make every effort to get letters to conform to the requirements. The limit is 250 words and so those that are longer will either be trimmed by us or by the author.
But there are some letters that we just must reject, usually because they are too insulting and often blatantly racist.
Generally, letters to the editor must not contain profanity. Just one or two words could be edited out but a letter that is filled with vulgar epithets is not worth the editing effort.
Sometimes letters get too personal. We can sympathy with someone who is going through some difficult times but repeating their troubles in a letter to the editor isn’t quite appropriate. For example, we get letters from people being evicted or who are having tough financial or health problems. We sympathize and, where possible, refer them to other sources, such as social services agencies.
Admittedly, sometimes they tell us their troubles to make a point about an issue or situation. In such cases, we may relent and run that letter. Sometimes it’s obvious and the letter is just too personal. Sometimes it’s a judgment call.
Occasionally, the letter is not just too long but ridiculously extensive. Letters must be around 250 words and the guest opinions can go 550 to 660. Guest opinions, by the way, are restricted to those who have some expertise on a topic. And we’ve also allowed politicians to write guest opinions by virtue of their positions. But some letters are literally a 1000 words or more.
We also turn down letters that make false accusations or use incorrect facts to make a point.
Considerable effort is made to work with a letter writer to make his opinion piece conform to the policy and ultimately get printed.
But sometimes, even with a concerted, substantial effort, the letters must be rejected.
posted by Allan Adler at
12:20 PM
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