More thoughts on diverse opinions

On Oct. 5 I questioned your decision to expose Telegram readers to opinions written by Postmedia columnists, rather than from the Canadian Press.

You replied “Saltwire Network respects the rights of Postmedia columnists to express their opinions, but their inclusion in Saltwire publications, such as The Telegram, does not reflect editorial positions taken by Saltwire or The Telegram. Instead they are presented in the interests of offering a diverse range of opinions on issues of interest to our readers.”

I agree we need to be exposed and enlightened by diverse opinions, but I believe the reader is duped and insulted if the writer does not include accurate facts to document their interpretation of an issue. I also observe that newspaper space is so restricted, that great judgment as to relevance must be invoked when selecting each article to buy.

While reflecting upon your editorial response, I thought of the advertising for co-housing communities, that one will be surrounded by “like-minded people” — how dull!

And then I re-read Russell Wangersky’s column of Sept. 30, “The reinforcement of your own personal echo chamber.”

Am I guilty of asking for this from The Telegram? Possibly.

The lesson I draw is that I must pay attention to the news source and author when I read any news article in The Telegram, or elsewhere. Is there a lesson for The Telegram as well? Are there other free or inexpensive but accurate news and opinion sources relevant to current issues in the province as well as greater Canada, upon which you might draw in your search for a diverse range of opinion?

I remind you of your editorial statement Sept. 28, “We have an opportunity in Canada, right now, to insist that people running for office make addressing the climate crisis a priority. Let’s hold their feet to the fire.”

So, I suggest holding a few Postmedia feet to the fire.

Penny Allderdice St John’s