Independence absent from Day’s pages

What a surprise to find Robert Linden’s letter, “Day’s independent editorial voice is an asset,” (May 30), praising The Day for being “independent.” I have been reading The Day for over 30 years. Whatever its financial and administrative arrangements, The Day, as a media entity, is about as “independent” as an echo.

It might not be owned by Gannett, but its staff works tirelessly to ensure its photos, its “narratives” and its opinions conform to those appearing in most major, left-leaning American newspapers. Spend a few days comparing The Day with the Washington Post, and see for yourself.

If The Day is independent of anything, it is of the concerns of vast numbers living in our region. Over the past four years, it has done what it can to stifle dissent on its pages. While its own editorials are unsigned, it has chilled online commenting by insisting comments be posted under subscribers’ names. It frequently removes comments and suspends commenters whose views do not reflect those of its staff.

What our region needs is a truly independent public forum, one where all local voices are welcome, one insulated from the political agendas of media corporations and the powerful interests using narratives to control public discourse. Duane Schultz Mystic

Editor’s note: The Day never removes online reader comments for political views. Comments may be removed if they are “off-topic, unlawful, threatening, abusive, libelous, defamatory, obscene, vulgar, pornographic, profane, indecent or otherwise objectionable.” Additionally, personal attacks are not permitted.