The noise pollution surrounding political campaigns keeps
getting louder each year. Debate, discussion and forcing people to
think about issues is an important part of the letters to the
editor that appear on this page. That mission will continue to be
fulfilled.
The noise pollution surrounding political campaigns keeps getting louder each year. Debate, discussion and forcing people to think about issues is an important part of the letters to the editor that appear on this page. That mission will continue to be fulfilled.
But in a post-election reflection on that mission, we have reviewed our letters policy with regards to election-related commentary and put it in black and white now, months ahead of the next political onslaught, for all our readers to see.
Our purpose is to fine-tune what is acceptable so that it does not become more pointless “noise.” The irony in America is that voters are bombarded with more and more information – whether it’s the huge corporations buying millions of dollars in TV air time or the local blogger – that is less and less useful and reliable. Thus, the process is polluted and fewer people participate.
Our new election letters policy is an attempt to turn down that noise level a notch and keep the discussion on track.
The policy is as follows:
n Election letters will cease to be published five calendar days prior to Election Day in order to allow a “buffer” period between the debate and the election.
n Letters endorsing or discussing candidates must include reasoning dealing with specific issues regarding the election. (Vote for “Mary” because she’s wonderful will not meet the criteria.)
n “Astroturf” letters – those letters sent en masse to mimic a grassroots campaign – will not be accepted; neither will letters that are clearly a part of an organized campaign.
n Election letters will be limited to 350 words and published on a first-come, first-served basis.
n Writers will be limited to two letters related to the election for two months prior to the election.
n Local election letters are given highest priority.
n The Free Lance reserves the right to edit or reject letters for matters of taste or space.
We would welcome comments or suggestions related to this policy. Please e-mail your thoughts and a phone number where we can reach you to [email protected].
