In an effort to create a lively, informative forum for
discussion on current in the community, the Hollister Free Lance is
shaping a new letters to the editor policy which will be published
next Thursday.
In an effort to create a lively, informative forum for discussion on current in the community, the Hollister Free Lance is shaping a new letters to the editor policy which will be published next Thursday.
The opinion page of the newspaper provides an unique opportunity for you to interact with the surrounding community by sharing your ideas and opinions on the issues of the day. However, we want to create a set of ground rules to foster healthy civil debate and ideas rather than attacks on individuals.
We encourage community members to not only read the opinion pages, but to contribute to the dialogue as well. Regardless of whether readers agree with all the letters we publish, we believe there is an undeniable value in presenting the diversity of opinions that exist in our community. This page is as much yours as it is ours.
And to that end, we invite you to get involved and tell us what you think of some of the ideas the Hollister Free Lance’s newly formed editorial board is discussing for a letters policy:
The Free Lance will not publish letters containing crude language
The Free Lance will not publish endorsements for or complaints about individually named commercial products or services
The Free Lance will not publish accusations of criminal behavior
The Free Lance will not publish letters that are blatant endorsements of political candidates, or are an obvious part of a mass-mailing campaign by a candidate
Your passion is always welcome and humor is appreciated as you comment to the editor.
As always, all letters must be signed by the author and include a street address and phone number for verification purposes, but only the writer’s name and hometown will be published.
The Free Lance welcomes your input as we develop this new policy. Tell us what you think of the points we listed above or suggest some additions. The right of free speech is a cornerstone of journalistic integrity, and we firmly believe our readers deserve space in their newspaper to share their ideas, opinions and beliefs.
We want to invite civil discourse on our editorial page in a manner that is fair to all.
Please contact Free Lance Editor Conan Knoll at 637-5566 ext. 337 or ck****@***********ws.com if you have ideas to share or issues to discuss as we complete this process.
To respond to this editorial or comment on this issue or any other issue, please send or bring letters to Editor, The Hollister Free Lance, 350 Sixth St., Hollister, Calif. 95023 or e-mail to ed****@***********ws.com.
