Fake news makes writing and reasoning more vital than ever
■ The art of letter writing is apparently a dying one, although it should be one that is encouraged, especially in this era of fake news and opinion sent out by some tweeting twits and the (un)social media that so wastefully occupies the time of our youth, and too many other citizens.
Often the only letters we get now are bills and advertising – neither of which we welcome.
Probably the most famous letter to the editor was that of eightyear-old Virginia O’Hanlon, to the editor of ‘The New York Sun’, (September 21, 1897), which led to the editorial, ‘Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus’. The most important part of the letter really was “Papa says, if you see it in ‘The Sun’ it’s so”, a statement that should still ring true for all newspapers, but now faces attack from false news, and missing or misleading news. Although it may seem a simplistic statement, the world would be a better place if everybody wrote letters to the editor.
The basis of this idea is aspirational – it would mean they could read, reason and write, they would have sufficient leisure time to consider issues, they could afford a newspaper and a stamp, or have access to email and, more importantly, would live in a world where it is safe to express an opinion openly. Too many voices are quashed by fear or lack of opportunity. I have found reading the news and the ‘letters to the editor’, especially my own, a pleasant start to a day, and since I have started writing it is clear from what people tell me about my letters, just how many other people readthemeveryday.The opportunity to read and compare newspapers, and especially their editorials, has allowed me to see issues from many viewpoints and I have then subscribed to some digital versions, although I can only afford a few. The local library allows me access to many more, for which I am very grateful.
Dennis Fitzgerald
Victoria, Australia