One positive effect of Meta’s ban on Canadian news on its platforms—Facebook and Instagram—has been the increase in letters to the editor.
Readers seem to like the shift, as letters are some of our most-read pieces online.
With the advent of social media, many in Squamish shifted to posting comments about stories rather than sending a full-formed response in a letter to the editor.
That was a shame as letters have a long history in newspapers.
Some of the first newspapers published in Canada contained letters to the editor.
“In the 18th century, newspaper editors and town postmasters were often the same people,” says Jay Rosen, a journalism professor at New York University, in a Poynter Institute article, explaining how the views and letters sections of papers began organically.
The author of that piece, Marina Bolotnikova, makes an important point that underscores why The Squamish Chief continues to encourage letters: Inviting readers to publish letters sends a unique message that “they are equal participants in the conversation, and that reader criticism is a necessary part of how the news is made.”
That said, every outlet has rules for letters.
Unlike social media commentary, letters we publish must be vetted, readable, relevant and legally sound.
This puts more of an onus on the writer to know their stuff and prove it.
This also means that letters are subject to the same process as stories and other items published by a newspaper, including editing.
(For the record, even as the editor, nothing I write is published without being edited by someone else.)
Increasingly, we find those who submit think of their letter more as a post to Facebook, with facts they don’t have to prove, that they can change anytime they like, and that others won’t edit.
But there is value in properly formed arguments about local topics being published in print and online in community news sources. (The Squamish Chief's mandate is to focus on local issues and people, afterall.)
So, here is The Squamish Chief’s letters’ policy.
•The Squamish Chief welcomes letters of up to 400 words.
•It is expected letters will be sent as complete and final drafts, and will include links to any facts mentioned for fact-checking purposes.
•Letters should be exclusive to this publication and are meant to respond to a recent local story in The Squamish Chief or raise an issue happening in town.
•Please include your name, neighbourhood, and phone number.
•Full names and neighbourhood will be published with the letter.
•The publisher reserves the right to refuse and edit letters for length and clarity or to address legal concerns.
Send letters to [email protected].
