As a newspaper, we are in the business of controversy.
A good portion of the pages of our paper are press releases from nonprofit organizations, clubs, business offerings and private events that are open to the public.
We publish columns written by local authors on specialized topics of interest.
We report breaking news like car accidents, sudden deaths or tragedies, natural disasters, police incidents, firefighting and paramedic responses to emergency scenes, local sports, traffic updates, construction projects, new and existing government programs, data from studies and news from our schools and local and regional governments.
We also report the controversies that emerge in our communities, be it things that emerge from government board meetings or public forums or emerging in common public discourse, when certain issues affect a large number of residents who are passionately opposed or in support.
Then tensions can run high.
As a newspaper, we encourage vigorous debate focusing on the facts, sharing opinions, outlooks and concerns, costs and benefits, the views of individuals and the public at large.
Several recent topics we have covered have been emotionally charged.
The era of the internet allows readers to communicate their views and opinions in real time, which we also encourage because they shape and persuade other readers and the views of local officials who read them and adapt policy to public feedback. Oftentimes the online comments affect our own views, especially as they relate to editorial stances.
That being said, users of social media must be respectful of the process and each other.
Recently, several users — rather than arguing the facts or stating their opinion or attempting to counter other arguments with rhetoric and argumentative strategy — have instead resorted to name-calling, personal attacks, intimidation and even threats.
Without getting into specifics, one user attempted to intimidate another based on what they “liked” with thumbs up emoticons on our Facebook page while another user attempted to libel a private individual to invalidate another person’s argument.
If users want to make wild false claims or attack people on their own social media pages and risk a libel lawsuit, they can, but we — serving as a public forum for ideas and public discussion that actually shapes opinions and public policy — have not, do not and will not tolerate such dishonest tactics to win an argument.
Our social media policy regarding libel and personal attacks is the same as our letters to the editor policy, which readers can read below.
We encourage vigorous, loud, raucous, wide-ranging debate that takes into account all the precursors, history and background, costs and benefits, potential consequences and expected aftermath. We would love to get several letters about each of our stories addressing views on the issues or things our stories may have overlooked and social media comments about the same. We like when readers ask us follow-up questions or provide facts and data they have access to that we may not because it enhances the debate and the public’s understanding.
But under no circumstances should someone ever feel threatened to post their comments or views, no matter what they are.
We will continue to report the news and the controversy. We encourage all our readers to send us letters to the editor with their views. Comment on our stories or post comments on our social media pages. But do so respectful of the democratic process and fellow users.
Everyone’s opinion is valuable, even when we disagree.
Christopher Fox Graham
Managing Editor
