The History Behind the Writing Space

I will focus my review specifically on the way the comment feature remediates the letter to the editor. Traditionally, the letter to the editor is written by a passionate member of the community that just can’t keep their argument inside any longer. Sometimes these letters address a specific article in the newspaper (celebrating or bashing it), and sometimes they simply address and take a stance on a hot topic. Ultimately these letters are meant to persuade a wide audience. In a print setting, these letters must follow a fairly strict set of criteria in order to pass the editor’s desk and make it into the paper. I find it interesting that even with the advent of so many online writing spaces that allow the writer more freedom, the tradition of the letter to the editor continues both online and in print. Why do people feel unsatisfied with their new writing spaces and what about the traditional form of the letter compels them to write there? I would like to look closely at the specific criteria of a letter to the editor in order to examine the way e-news has remediated the reading and writing space for reader-writers (or as Axel Bruns would call them, produsers). To keep my project concise I have chosen to look mainly at The New York Times, which produces one of the most popular print newspapers and has a well read online news source as well. 

         So What is a Letter to the Editor?

image from wikicommons, public domain

Archival New York Times Article Sienna Lomuto

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 iiiiiii Letters to the editor have a long history of covering both the mundane (new street signs, or personal letters from figures of public interest) to the radical and political. Today, letters to the editor are only published if they meet a very specific criteria. Check out the standards for the New York Times:

"Letters for publication should be no longer than 150 words, must refer to an article that has appeared within the last seven days, and must include the writer's address and phone numbers. No attachments, please.

We regret we cannot return or acknowledge unpublished letters. Writers of those letters selected for publication will be notified within a week. Letters may be shortened for space requirements"

 

 Here is a link with full submission information

And for a fascinating look at the selection process, check out this article written by the anonymous editor of the letter section, where he/she gives Tips on Getting Your Letter Published

     As we can see from these specifications, the writer is limited (both online and in print) by the constraints of the editor and the standards of the newspaper. The paper reserves the right to change the letter, and most interestingly, reserves the right to do absolutely nothing at all with the letter. What role does writing take when its civic or social purpose is thwarted by the medium? The Chicago Tribune calls their editorial section "The Voice of the People". When we start to examine the construction of and constraints on this voice, it is no wonder the people were anxious for a less regimented and immediate space to write and talk back. 

These comments are the first of 676 responding to an article posted today called "Women in Texas Losing Options for Health Care in Abortion Fight"(NY Times)