As we’re seeing an increasing number of announcements about who will and won’t be seeking election this year, we figured it was time – again – to revisit our policy on letters to the editor.
While we conduct reviews about the policy before every election cycle, this is definitely the earliest in the year we’ve ever put out a call for feedback. We’re closer to Christmas 2025 than we are to the June primaries, a fact that doesn’t seem real when January felt like it dragged for at least a quarter of a year.
The full policy can be found at lcnme.com/other-submissions-guide, but here are some of the highlights:
Priority will be given to letters that consider local issues or concerns. Letters that express national and state issues should provide a link or impact to Lincoln County. Those without a link or impact stated will only run if there is room in that week’s edition.
Limit letters to 500 words or less.
Writers are limited to no more than two letters a month.
Responses to letters that previously appeared on the editorial page are encouraged, and should contain the letter’s title and the date of the edition it appeared in. Responses should avoid using the author’s name and be crafted in a civil manner.
The Lincoln County News will not publish letters that contain hate speech, personal attacks, or name calling; promotions or sales; letters that are not directed to the editor; or information that could cause harm.
There are a few more guidelines regarding general letters of thanks and the requirement that all submissions include the writer’s name and town of residence, as well as additional rules for letters from political candidates for office. We’re not too concerned about these, though we do get the occasional request to run a letter anonymously, which is against our policy.
By far, the most difficult challenge to navigate with letters to the editor is letters about national topics or figures. While we try to balance providing a place for the community to voice their beliefs and encouraging civil discourse, it is becoming clear that may not be possible with these topics.
We understand the argument that some letter writers make, that all politics are local. Others expect us to fact check each point made in these letters. Time spent in this regard limits what we can report on in Lincoln County.
We are a local paper. We concentrate on local matters. Our staff works to be subject matter experts in the local community. This is our strength and what makes us unique.
So as we consider changes to the letters policy, we ask for your feedback. In particular, we are considering not running national letters unless there is a very specific and direct tie to Lincoln County. Statewide issues would run if space allowed.
We welcome and earnestly solicit letters to the editor about this community. Please share your thoughts with us by emailing editor@lcnme.com or by calling the office at 563-3171.
