Muffled, yet Unbowed

A critical element for the proper functioning of a democracy is the free and open exchange of ideas and opinions. Indeed, this is a time in our history when access to the facts and discourse about them are vitally necessary for the very survival of our country. From the earliest editions of newspapers in colonial America, letters to the editor (LTEs) have given the general public a neutral forum in which to convey different points of view to the newspapers’ readerships at large. While historically LTEs have played an important role in enabling political discourse between those of different political persuasions, today they are frequently the only way for citizens to come together in an unbiased setting to exchange their views. Indeed, while other media—television, radio, internet—generally offer forums oriented to distinct, compartmentalized audiences, newspapers by contrast enable the raw, direct and honest expressions of the opinions of their readers to be juxtaposed alongside the views of those with diametrically differing views.

As reported by your newspaper in an article on June 9 th of this year, Gannett Co., Inc., based in McClean, VA, which owns 1/5 of the newspapers in the country, urged its papers to reduce the number of its editorials and LTEs or even eliminate them, reportedly to detract from the impression that the papers reflect a liberal bias. Three months earlier, the Gannett paper in our town (Staunton, VA), The News Leader, had stopped publishing LTEs. Since Gannett’s views were promulgated, other Gannett papers across the country similarly have stopped publishing LTEs or have drastically limited their number to one or two LTEs per paper once or twice  per week. This practice has become more and more prevalent nationwide.
Unfortunately, this practice works a disparate effect upon Democrats and Independents. 

As has been reported by your newspaper and others, Republicans in this pre-election period have been inclined to minimize their public appearances and thereby avoid public scrutiny of their views. And, to me, they also seem less inclined to write LTEs or editorials, at least in local newspapers. Thus, the practical effect of this new practice of Gannett newspapers has fallen disproportionately upon Democrats and Independents, who are often keen to write LTEs in order to correct perceived misinformation distributed by Republicans through media such as Fox News or otherwise. Muffled by these newspapers’ practice of not publishing LTEs or editorials, Democrats and Independents have been deprived of a vital way to present their views to their fellow citizens. This is especially troubling in these attenuated times as verbal communications on controversial topics are rare between friends and family of different political affiliations. The written word essentially is the only way one can hope to change the settled opinions of our fellow citizens.

Many consider the Post the most august, and most influential, newspaper in America. On this important issue, we need your help. We respectfully request that, through your editorials and otherwise, you endeavor to persuade your journalistic confreres to once again open up their newspapers to respectful, well-considered and measured LTEs and editorials, consistent with the historic role of newspapers  to provide a neutral forum for the exchange of public opinion on the important issues of the day.
D.J. Murphy
Fishersville