It seems most of the letters to the editor submitted for publication in The Alabama Baptist the past few weeks begin with a phrase similar to “With the election drawing near … .” From there, most of the writers go on to make not-so-veiled references to why Alabama Baptists should support one candidate or another.
Obviously Alabama Baptists, like other responsible citizens, are concerned about their nation. They pray for their nation. They work for candidates who they believe will best serve their nation. It is equally clear that letter writers have not all reached the same conclusions. They support different candidates for president of the United States. They even support different candidates in races for various congressional seats.
To date, none of those letters has appeared in the state Baptist paper, and such letters are not likely to appear in the near future.
It would not be fair or accurate to say The Alabama Baptist avoids political topics. Stories about moral and ethical issues with political overtones appear in the state Baptist paper on a regular basis. We provide regular coverage of issues before the state Legislature. We report on national and international issues ranging from abortion to marriage to hunger. Sometimes we cover local issues.
All of these issues are examined from a biblical perspective, and we do not hesitate to champion Bible-based moral and ethical positions. But The Alabama Baptist is not a partisan publication. We have not promoted and do not intend to promote the candidacy of any one individual seeking public office. The state Baptist paper is an issue-oriented publication serving all Alabama Baptists. It is not the tool of any political personality or party.
We do not publish letters promoting one candidate over another. We do not sell advertising space to political candidates despite numerous requests. In the midst of a campaign season, especially as a heated race for president of the United States nears an end, we may err and decline to publish a letter that might have been acceptable at another time. When we are wrong, please forgive us.
Generally speaking, letters to the editor must be about topics that are before Alabama Baptists or issues of concern to Alabama Baptists. Letters that promote personalities or advertise services are not considered. For those purposes, paid advertising space is available.
We also avoid letters that attack or are derogatory in tone toward individuals. To disagree with the editor or a letter writer or a story in the paper is not attacking. Anyone who writes expects to be held accountable for what he or she writes. But there is a difference between disagreeing with a position and attacking the writer. Exchanges in the “Letters to the Editor” column must be civil.
Letters that deal with issues raised in other publications are not appropriate for The Alabama Baptist. If one disagrees with a letter or story in a daily newspaper, then write that newspaper. Readers need the context of one’s letter. If the original story appeared in another publication, then readers have little opportunity of knowing what the letter writer is responding to.
The Alabama Baptist does not knowingly use letters that are written to other publications or simultaneously submitted to other publications. Letters must be for Alabama Baptists and about issues of concern to Alabama Baptists. Nor do we use letters from the same writer on a frequent basis.
Some might be surprised to learn of individuals who write to the editor most every week. One reader even complained because he could not have a letter to the editor published in the state Baptist paper every week. The guideline used in determining frequency is not more than one letter every three months from the same writer.
Length of letters to the editor is also an issue. Some writers express their thoughts in a concise style. Some ramble.
Frequently we return letters to writers asking that they shorten their submission to a maximum of 300 words. One hundred words is better. We also insist that letters deal with only one topic. Letters that clearly state a point in a concise manner have the best chance of being selected for print.
Letter writers should expect to be edited. Every news story, every column, every editorial that appears in The Alabama Baptist is edited. Letters are no exception. Sometimes the editing is for spelling and grammar. We do not knowingly publish mistakes. Sometimes the editing is for clarity. Sometimes it is to keep the letter focused on a single topic. Sometimes it is for length.
Every effort is made to keep the central point of the letter. Unfortunately what appears to be the central point to The Alabama Baptist staff is not always the central point intended by the writer. Occasionally this results in hurt feelings.
When that happens, we apologize. It is never our intention to misrepresent a letter writer’s position. We value the effort put forth to communicate with The Alabama Baptist. We appreciate the information in the state Baptist paper being taken seriously enough to merit a response. That is important.
Still the “pride of authorship” can be blinding. Editing is a hard process that some have difficulty appreciating. It should be remembered that no one has a “right” to have his or her letter printed in a paper. The importance of the topic and the quality of the writing are major factors in having a letter selected for print.
Letters to the editor are an important part of The Alabama Baptist. We would like to print more letters from readers.
The variety of opinions expressed in the letters column helps readers know what is being thought and said across the state. So send us your letters. Be part of the statewide conversation about concerns of and issues of importance to Alabama Baptists.
To submit a letter to the editor, visit www.thealabamabaptist.org and click on “contact” or mail to The Alabama Baptist, 3310 Independence Drive, Birmingham, AL 35209. You may also fax to 205-870-8957 or e-mail to news@thealabamabaptist.org.
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