Guidelines help keep letters lively, diverse and local

We've had some lively discussions lately among various Daily Herald editors who deal with our Fence Post letters, so, with the unofficial Labor Day kickoff of the November election campaign upon us, it seems timely to share some of our thoughts and policies. I mention the campaign season not because it drives our policies toward letters, but because as political passions flare, our mailbox swells - as well it should - with missives from folks who favor an issue or a candidate, and enforcing letters policies becomes even more important.

Let me first emphasize that we want Fence Post, the title of our letters column, to reflect the broad diversity of opinions, interests and voices constantly effervescing in a lively community. If the rest of the paper is dominated by professional voices, official sources and an emphasis on factual, objective reporting, the letters column is where you can have your say in your words about topics you choose.

Maintaining such a space, however, involves more than just opening it up and waiting to see what fills it. We want Fence Post to be lively. We want it to be diverse. We want it to be local. We also want it to be responsible and thought-provoking, and ensuring these qualities requires some attention. So, we start by limiting the length of letters. While the number is not hard-and-fast and circumstances may sometimes permit exceptions, we limit letters to about 300 words. Without such limits, some writers - as even the most disciplined Daily Herald reporters will attest - simply cannot contain their passions in a space that readers can digest or that leaves room for other writers. At that, we reserve the right to edit letters, whatever their length, to fit the space or, at times, to address matters of taste or fact.

We also limit individual writers to one publication a month. Again, many writers are passionately prolific, and as gratifying as that can be to see, it can also discourage readers who may come to view the letters space not as a reflection of the thoughts of their friends and neighbors, but as a forum for a handful of especially active and verbose individuals. It can also discourage potential writers who may come to feel that their topic, style or concern isn't welcome or doesn't fit among a collection of too-familiar voices.

This, by the way, is a policy we aim to apply to what you might call "rebuttal" letters. Often, one writer's take on an issue will stir the emotions of a writer or writers with a contrary take, which in turn stirs Writer No. 1 to take pen in hand again to defend himself or herself, which may stir Writers 2 and 3 to defend themselves - and you see where this can lead. We think applying the once-a-month rule to everyone will help ensure diversity of tone, voices and topics.

Campaign season does add two additional issues that demand mention - taste and trust. For the former, we're careful about not permitting writers to make wild claims about a candidate they don't like, and we don't allow letter writers to defame individuals or to foment hate and prejudice against other cultural groups. For the latter, we keep vigilant watch for political AstroTurf - letters written by interest groups or political campaigns to which local citizens simply have attached their names to make it look as though a grass-roots movement is building.

Finally, we require all letter writers to include their name, hometown and telephone number so we can verify that they are who they say they are and are expressing their own personal views.

In short, we want you to write letters, whatever the issue or point of view that moves you. And, we want you to read them - to get to know your neighbors and your community in its own words. We hope our guidelines ensure you'll enjoy and appreciate the Fence Post from both perspectives.