Editor, Times-Union:
This letter is not just a letter to the editor. It is an open letter to every reader of the Warsaw Times-Union. On the opinion page of every issue of the newspaper, the following mission statement appears: “To publish and disseminate the news of the day accurately, without bias, neither with favor nor with fear of recrimination. To comment editorially on the issues and events of the day that the editors believe to be of vital importance to the reader. To maintain a public forum whereby others may voice their opinions — thus preserving the public’s right of expression.”
The Times-Union also has a “Letters Policy.” This policy spells out the requirements a writer must follow, such as name and address inclusion, number of words allowed, etc. In addition, it states, “We reserve the right to edit letters for clarity, spelling errors, and libelous statements and to limit the number of letters by an individual or on an individual topic.” Cool. Beginning March 1, however, an addition was made to these requirements: “There is a limit of two letters per person per month.” This change was made after another writer and I had apparently submitted too many letters during the first six weeks of the year, and “people were starting to complain about the number” we “both had in the newspaper.” Now I would like to know which and how many complaining people it takes to amend a newspaper’s policies. Are they subscribers? How do they complain — in person, by phone, by text or email? Obviously not by submitting opinion letters …
Since mid February, the Times-Union has published at least thirty-six opinion columns written by no fewer than nine syndicated, obviously right-wing, pundits — several of them more than two per month. The daily editorials come from Las Vegas, Detroit, Chicago, New York and other sources — not from our local editors. To be fair, there have been a handful of syndicated articles published during the same time period — not always on the editorial page— sharing views opposite those of the aforementioned thirty-six.
Please note: I respect and defend the right of all contributors to express their views and for newspapers to print whatever they choose. However, why are citizens’ rights to counter outsiders’ views constrained and limited to two opinions per month? I was informed that “Space is valuable on the printed page as there’s only so much of it.” I recall at least three recent “vitally important” half-page articles of “valuable space” enlightening readers about the new Paris fashions, the fashions paraded at the Academy Awards, and the retirement of some Paris fashion designer. No room for letters those days I guess …
In print, in person, via personal emails/texts and even phone messages, I have personally received much positive “people” support for my own letters. The Times-Union is indeed maintaining “a public forum … preserving the public’s right of expression.” Apparently, it prefers that some expressions must be limited to twice a month!
Jeanne Tuka Schutz
Winona Lake, via email