Editorial: Dissent and civility
A recent visit to a West Virginia University classroom offered some insight to a group of newspaper editors who were asked to speak to a group of journalism students.
When posed with the question of where they get their news, most of the students responded, not surprisingly, from social media.
One bright young undergrad shared that she makes a practice of visiting a variety of news sites, including those whose political predilection differs from her own. She went on to explain that it is important for her to understand where “the other side” is coming from, because only then can she form her own opinions.
How refreshing.
Executive orders, cabinet appointments and a plethora of other news coming out of Washington, D.C., have dominated news cycles of late, generating endless debate on editorial pages here and beyond.
The ability to share diverse viewpoints openly and without repercussion is one of the founding tenets of American democracy. The exchange of ideologies is healthy and encouraged. Where better to engage in civil discourse than through the editorial section of the local newspaper?
The editorial or op-ed pages are where opinion lives in the newspaper. Unlike the news section, which is reserved for articles that report the facts, the opinion space is set aside for the newspaper leadership to interpret and analyze the news, and when appropriate, entertain solutions or alternative views.
It’s also the space for its readership to speak out through letters to the editor or commentary columns. The goal of the page is to provoke thought and reaction, and sometimes inspire action. It is intended to be a safe place where readers can turn to see what like-minded individuals are thinking, and, ideally, learn more about opposing viewpoints, in the hope of gaining a better understanding of where “the other side” is coming from.
It is when mean-spirited attacks and name-calling creep into the conversation that constructive discourse turns destructive. And it has no place on the editorial page or anywhere else, for that matter.
Regrettably, there are those who have lost sight of that, and of tolerance and respect, too, and must be reminded about the intent and mission of the page.
Editors take great pains to present a representative mix of viewpoints – left, right and moderate – from both syndicated and local sources. Reader submissions tend to ebb and flow, and are dependent upon the season and events of the day. Some weeks, local contributions are few and reflect just one philosophy or political stance. Those singular views often provoke a negative reaction, and not in the form of well-constructed written rebuttals but through phone calls replete with vitriol, and sometimes threats.
While we are open to engaging in respectful dialogue via phone, we encourage readers to take pen in hand – preferably fingers to keyboard – and make your case. Your opinion matters, and others just might benefit from your perspective.
Now, a word about civility. No matter what side of the aisle you find yourself on, we are compelled to offer a gentle reminder about the Golden Rule, the ethical value that most of us were taught at a young age. You may not agree with everyone, but you should respect their right to have opinions differing from your own.