The purpose of an editorial or opinion section
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The purpose of an editorial or opinion section is not to give a platform to anyone to say whatever they please. The purpose is to offer readers a new perspective, but one that is still based in truth and supported by fact. Letters to the editor serve a critical function in our communities and have the capacity to spread and share knowledge.
Unfortunately, that was not the standard in last week’s Torrington Telegram.
As publisher, I accept full responsibility for allowing such vulgar comments to be published in our newspaper. I am ashamed. Goshen County, you deserve better. We are better. Nobody will hold this newspaper to a higher standard than I, and the garbage displayed in last week’s Telegram will not happen again.
While elected officials are held to a higher standard, there is no room for vulgar comments directed at such officials.
My responsibility is to you, our readers. I have the responsibility, to you, to verify the claims of the authors of our letters and to choose those authors wisely. And, believe it or not, it is possible to have a healthy, open and balanced debate where nobody is lying or throwing personal shame or accusations on another.
The Telegram has no agenda. We will continue to publish a variety of viewpoints based on factual information that fairly represents the truth and personal attacks will not be tolerated.
Handing a platform to individuals who only use it for personal attacks or lies is irresponsible and, fortunately, it is completely unnecessary.