Do you think letters to the editor in newspapers have an impact?

[William769]

The reason I ask is I live in S.W. Florida which is blood red. recently, I see more & more letters ripping the republican party apart, also going after trump.

Don't get me wrong there are still letters slobbering over the republican party & trump, but they are fewer & fewer.

[PortTack]

1. I think they do, at least for those that read...not joking

[William769]

3. Thanks.

[PJMcK]

2. No more impact than posts on the internet (n/t)

[William769]

4. I would argue newspapers reach a larger audience

People on the internet normally are looking for specific information on their ideas.

At least that's what I do.

[PJMcK]

9. I was being a bit snarky - I'm sorry

Actually, I think that Letters To The Editor serve the purpose of illustrating how some people think about current events. I just don't think they will change anyone's perspective.

I must ask: Do you really think newspapers reach more people than the internet? The newspaper industry has been shrinking over the past 20 years and even the big papers have seen their circulation diminish. I read recently that Gannett is reducing the frequency of many of its formerly daily publications, (they publish more than 100 papers including USA Today). This doesn't sound like a growing business. Meanwhile, more and more people get their news online. I would argue that Facebook has more influence on more people than The NY Times or The Washington Post.

Additionally, I can't agree with your characterization of how different people utilize the internet. It seems to me that all of the people online have just as many individual reasons for being there. I'm not certain there is any "normal" use of the internet.

In any event, enjoy your afternoon!

[ENO in 2024]

5. Definitely they do.

Right wing Trump butt kissing is still insanity gone wild. PLEASE check out sanangelolive.com. they show their hatred in ways we've only heard about. I wrote a letter and they blinked....then sharted!! Used a fake name, which I never did before the MAGGOTS came along.
sanangelolive.com is horrible but it pales in comparison to the Buffalo Gap nutwing paper. See to believe. Peace out lol

[ProudMNDemocrat]

6. I think so.

If your letters present facts and are on topic.

[Tomconroy]

7. Probably not much impact but they are fun to write.

I too think Trump will fade. Whining about 2020 has to get boring after a while. Even for his followers.

[chia]

8. They definitely do, for a certain demographic of older people who still get physical newspapers

While I don't get a physical newspaper, I've appreciated well-written, brilliant sometimes, letters that have been shared online. It reminds me how many sharp, wise, and witty minds are out there. And I need to be reminded more and more these days.

[Busterscruggs]

10. I have plenty of time

To write my local papers. I know my democratic views are reaching millions of people who need to hear my opinions. Here lately, I even try to cite the valuable sources and members I find here to illustrate my points. I know this is a valuable resource for the community.

[Torchlight]

11. Not anymore.

Prior to daily, online engagement, I think they did have a measurable impact, albeit small and local. In the here and now however, those letters are dwarfed by online comments, posts, threads and blogs which have, I believe, taken the place of venting our feelings via the local newspaper.

[blm]

12. Well-written and humorous ones do.

They usually spread on the Internet, too.

[William769]

13. Agreed.

[blm]

14. Hey, buddy..

😘

[calimary]

15. My Indivisible group generates them all the time.

They’re of value. They’re a good idea. Other folks search them and whatever the message in them, it puts them on the map. On the record. Gives ‘em credibility. And reaffirms what some reader might be thinking but isn’t sure they should actually stick their neck out and say something.

I bet many (if not all) elected reps have somebody onboard, maybe a volunteer or student intern, who’s tasked with reading the editorial pages of the local (and maybe also national) newspapers to check the letters to the editor. Like taking the temperature of the public.

And don’t forget: if ONE person cared enough, or was bothered enough, to go to the trouble of writing a letter to the editor, that likely represents a larger group of constituents who feel the same way but just didn’t weigh in about it - for whatever reason. And depending on market size, ONE letter or phone call can represent ten others, or 100 others, or 1,000 others - or more.

[intheflow]

16. I know my city's mayor is influenced by them.

He's a big fat DINO but he hates any optics that make the city look bad. My agency got a meeting with him after a LTTE I sent the paper about pedestrian safety, and now improvements are funded and slated to begin in May. You never know where the ripples will hit when you toss that stone out into Lake MSM.

[ibegurpard]

17. Get the message out every way you can.

[FakeNoose]

18. The editors don't always print letters they receive

It's possible that your newspaper has a new policy to print dissident letters that they don't necessarily agree with. I hope that's the case, but there's no guarantee it will continue. For example the owner/publisher can decide to fire the editor who goes against company policy, and hire an obedient toady to replace him or her.

I have found that many newspapers have less control over the comments that get posted online at the newspaper's website. Comments online tend to be more liberal than what's printed in the paper, however the Repuke commenters are also ruder and more aggressive online. So take that with a grain of salt, and always protect your privacy online. (Liberal-sounding comments should never have your real name on the post.)

[William769]

19. Thank you for the information.