UPDATE, Feb. 22, 2011: The Freeman Courier has reverted to its old policy. See new item.
During the June International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors conference Bill Reader, an assistant professor at Ohio University's E.W. Scripps School of Journalism, argued that newspapers should print anonymous letters to the editor. In the age of anonymous online commenting, newspapers continued reluctance to print unsigned letters is archaic and out of touch, Reader argued. In his presentation, Reader wrote that newspapers are in the midst of a cultural revolution whether they like it or not, and resources should be devoted to content of letters rather than authorship. (You can read the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issue's story on the conference here.)
The Freeman Courier of South Dakota took Reader's argument to heart in deciding to change its policy and allow anonymous letters. "If you’ve got something to say in print but don’t want your name attached, while we may not agree with your desire to hide behind anonymity, we will grant you that right," editors Tim and Jeremy Waltner write in the August ISWNE newsletter. The Waltners note their policy is an experiment and they reserve the right to change their minds, they must still be able to verify the identity of the author whether his or her name is printed or not and they still will not print potentially libelous statements.
In his first newsletter column as ISWNE president Jeremy Condliffe, editor of the Congleton Chronicle in England, argues in support of anonymous letters. "It’s true that some of you might be opposed to anonymous letters because you just feel it’s plum wrong, and unethical to run anonymous attacks, but, as was pointed out in Kentucky, doing this can give a voice to the voiceless," Condliffe writes. "I certainly print letters criticizing those in power that come from working class readers who don’t feel they have any other way of expressing an opinion."
Not everyone at the conference was persuaded by the anonymous letter argument. Marcia Martinek, editor of the Herald Democrat of Leadville, Colo., notes her paper has always received plenty of letters to the editor despite its policy that it only prints signed ones. Martinek writes in the newsletter her paper sometimes explores issues raised in anonymous letters it receives but for now "I’m not thinking of changing any of our policies. Most Leadvillites have the courage to put their names on their letters. I’m proud of that, and you should be, too." (Read the newsletter here)
During the June International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors conference Bill Reader, an assistant professor at Ohio University's E.W. Scripps School of Journalism, argued that newspapers should print anonymous letters to the editor. In the age of anonymous online commenting, newspapers continued reluctance to print unsigned letters is archaic and out of touch, Reader argued. In his presentation, Reader wrote that newspapers are in the midst of a cultural revolution whether they like it or not, and resources should be devoted to content of letters rather than authorship. (You can read the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issue's story on the conference here.)
The Freeman Courier of South Dakota took Reader's argument to heart in deciding to change its policy and allow anonymous letters. "If you’ve got something to say in print but don’t want your name attached, while we may not agree with your desire to hide behind anonymity, we will grant you that right," editors Tim and Jeremy Waltner write in the August ISWNE newsletter. The Waltners note their policy is an experiment and they reserve the right to change their minds, they must still be able to verify the identity of the author whether his or her name is printed or not and they still will not print potentially libelous statements.
In his first newsletter column as ISWNE president Jeremy Condliffe, editor of the Congleton Chronicle in England, argues in support of anonymous letters. "It’s true that some of you might be opposed to anonymous letters because you just feel it’s plum wrong, and unethical to run anonymous attacks, but, as was pointed out in Kentucky, doing this can give a voice to the voiceless," Condliffe writes. "I certainly print letters criticizing those in power that come from working class readers who don’t feel they have any other way of expressing an opinion."
Not everyone at the conference was persuaded by the anonymous letter argument. Marcia Martinek, editor of the Herald Democrat of Leadville, Colo., notes her paper has always received plenty of letters to the editor despite its policy that it only prints signed ones. Martinek writes in the newsletter her paper sometimes explores issues raised in anonymous letters it receives but for now "I’m not thinking of changing any of our policies. Most Leadvillites have the courage to put their names on their letters. I’m proud of that, and you should be, too." (Read the newsletter here)
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