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Letters section a vehicle for free speech

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Reader,

This is a letter from the editor to clarify a couple of apparent miscommunications regarding letters to the editor in this newspaper. 

First of all, the Valley Journal does not and will not censor the opinions of readers based on whether the editor, the owners, the newspaper staff, some of our readers — or even a majority of our readers — agree with them. Edit them we will; but we will not discriminate based on likelihood of popularity. That being said, you should know that all letters are edited with respect to clarity, style and content, with a few particular areas of concern regarding content.

Letters should not be libelous (slanderous or potentially damaging to another person) or attack another person. Personal insults, attacks on character and references to violence have no place here. No matter how vehemently you disagree with another writer’s opinion, it is inappropriate to attack a private party’s character merely because it suits your argument. 

In a public forum where readers may discuss issues of public interest, debates will arise quickly, and that is healthy. Determining the line between healthy debate and senseless strife, however, is often harder than it sounds. In accordance with our letters policy, we do our best.     

Secondly, the Valley Journal does not endorse the opinions of its columnists or letter-writers. If we only printed opinions we agreed with, not only would the opinion section shrink to mere paragraphs, but the newspaper would become a propaganda newsletter advertising the opinions of its owners. In a country rooted in the principles of free speech and freedom of the press, that would be a shame indeed.

If you disagree with the opinions presented in a letter to the editor or a column in the Valley Journal, your best recourse and the most efficient way for you to be heard is to write your own response. In the interest of promoting healthy debate and saving yourself a rewrite, do focus on the issue at hand. We welcome your letters to the editor (at 350 words or fewer), and we encourage you to contribute to the debate that interests you. 

Melea Burke

Valley Journal

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