 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
July 22, 2004
|
|||||
|
|
|
|||
|
July 22, 2004 |
|||||
 |
|
EDITORIAL Get your information in the ‘News’ Whether you want to announce a meeting, a reunion or a birth or you’ve written a letter to the editor, it’s easy to get your information in the News. However, some readers may not understand how to submit information, so here’s a primer. The community, not the News staff, generates much of the news information in this paper, and, therefore, helps keep the community informed about what’s going on in Yellow Springs. The News always accepts announcements for events taking place in Yellow Springs and Miami Township, or for locally based organizations, if the events are free or open to the public. If you’re sponsoring an event or holding a meeting — or if you have news about your organization — write a press release and we’ll publish it. All news items are subject to editing. Be reasonable when listing sponsors. Submissions containing long lists of sponsors are better handled as advertising. Equally important is the “In and around Yellow Springs” section, which carries news about current and former residents of the village and Miami Township. News about births, weddings, promotions, vacations, achievements and other interesting tidbits are always welcome. Photos for announcements and “In and around” items are welcomed, but they should be of high-quality. Digital photos printed on a home printer usually do not reproduce well, so it’s better to submit original digital files. Be sure to include the names of people appearing in all photos. Call the News for instructions on submitting digital photos. The heart of any good newspaper is the editorial page, and based on the participation of our readers, the News’ heart is healthy. Our editorial page, which we started calling “Community Forum” in the spring, is open to readers interested in discussing topics of current interest, especially local issues. Letters should be less than 350 words. Anything longer may be edited to fit the available space. Letters may also be edited for grammar, style and libel, though the opinions expressed in letters will not be changed. Like announcements, the paper is responsible for the headlines that appear above letters. Letters should be signed and have a phone number and address for verification, and in case we have questions. The News does not accept anonymous letters or letters carrying pseudonyms. The paper now accepts “letters of appreciation” as a way for community members to thank local residents and organizations for subjects pertaining to a public interest. Personal notes of thanks should be expressed as advertising, perhaps as cards of thanks in the classified section. Appreciation letters should be less than 200 words and should not include long lists of names. Letters to the editor expressing readers’ opinions will take precedence over letters of appreciation. The News also accepts longer opinion columns, called “Other Voices.” Well-written columns around 700 words on topics that would be of interest to Yellow Springers are preferred. Remember, a longer column does not always make for a better column. Before spending hours writing a long article, think about whether you can express yourself following the letters’ guidelines. Generally, letters are published before columns. Occasionally, the News will publish editorial cartoons, but they must be high-quality. Contact the paper before submitting a cartoon. Like columns, letters will be published ahead of cartoons. The best way to submit items to the News is via e-mail. The address is ysnews@ysnews.com. Please, do not send news items and letters as attachments. Submissions can also be mailed (P.O. Box 187) or dropped of at the office (253 1/2 Xenia Avenue). The News office has a mail slot where submissions can be placed after hours. Typed submissions should be double-spaced. Handwritten submissions must be clear and legible. Include a name and phone number on all submissions in case we have questions. The deadline for announcements, “In and around Yellow Springs” items and letters is 10 a.m. Tuesday, though readers are encouraged to submit copy earlier. The News does not charge for letters, announcements, obituaries and other news items. Sometimes we do not have enough space available to publish all submissions (including articles or photos produced by News staffers). If your submission is held you do not have to resubmit it. We will publish it as soon as possible. We publish announcements more than once when appropriate. Remember, this is your newspaper, and the more voices and more participation in the News, the better this paper can serve Yellow Springs. A change to ‘Community Forum’ This week’s “Community Forum” contains a slight change. We’ve dropped the “To the Editor” salutation that has traditionally started a letter to the editor because is has become unnecessary. It is obvious that most of the content on the “Community Forum” page are letters. However, the letters do not have to contain an opening greeting because they are not personal notes. Plus, letter writers are usually not addressing the editor of the News, but instead the community. In addition, omitting the salutation will also save an inch or two of space every week. This change was suggested during an editorial page critique at the annual conference of the International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors in Illinois earlier this month. The critique, and the conference for that matter, provides weekly editors a chance to discuss editorial writing and to review newspapers from across North America and abroad. In recent years, other changes have been implemented throughout the pages of this paper, and more changes will be coming. Let the paper know what you think. |
|
