Shooting the messenger is not debate

NEWSROOM, in addition to providing coverage of local events, endeavors to provide an occasional  window on world affairs, ranging from the environment to major political issues which affect all of our readers.

 Letters from regular readers show that many welcome the insights provided by opinion leaders and specialists in many fields. Our constantly growing readership with some 120,000 page visits a month from around the world indicates that we are on the right track.

In the past. when print media was the prime source of news, the “letters to the editor”  page was the main outlet for readers to express their views and most major newspapers had a  “letters editor” to select and monitor contributions. Some of the debates provided valuable insights from authorities, often with strong opposing views. Leading publications like the Times of London, even published some of the exchanges in book form.

In the era of digital media, letters have been replaced by the opportunity to  “comment” on published items, and this sometimes provides lively  and informative debate, although the immediacy of the computer keyboard often  obliterates  thoughtful reaction, and the opportunity to revise provided  in the days when the letter had to be put into an envelope, addressed,  and stamped.

Readers were often required to provide a name and address. Today it’s an IP number.

Newsroom   welcomes debate and dissent, but personal — ad hominem — attacks (on authors, other users or any individual) will not be tolerated. In other words, don’t shoot the messenger.

We aim to maintain an inviting space to focus on intelligent interactions and debates. Save abuse and defamatory language for the bar room brawl.