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Anchorage Daily News: 225 words, name, address, phone number, no other paper
Letters may not exceed 225 words, and, as a general rule, shorter letters are better letters. Letters will be edited for length, clarity, grammar and taste and may be republished in any format. We will publish only one letter a month per writer.
Letters must include the writer's address and a day phone number (for verification, not publication). We will not print unsigned letters, open letters to third parties or letters submitted to other publications. We encourage letter writers to use e-mail because this is the fastest and most efficient way to publication, but we welcome all letters -- by fax, mail or dropped off at our front desk (1001 Northway Dr., Anchorage).We don't promise publication, but we do publish about half of the letters we receive. All letters submitted become the property of the Anchorage Daily News. If you have questions, please call (907) 257-4547 (Alaska outside Anchorage (800) 478-4200 ext. 547) or e-mail letters@adn.com. Juneau Empire: 400 words, name, hometown, phone number
The Juneau Empire welcomes letters from readers. Letters should not exceed 400 words and must include the writer's name, hometown and phone number. My Turn columns are limited to 700 words and must include the writer's name, hometown, phone number and a sentence identifying the writer's credentials. The Empire will edit submissions for length, clarity, grammar and libelous content. The Empire does not publish copies of letters sent to third parties. The letters, My Turns, syndicated columns, cartoons and guest editorials appearing on the Opinion page represent the opinions of the writers, artists and newspapers that produced them. Address letters to Editor, Juneau Empire, 3100 Channel Drive, Juneau, AK 99801; fax, 586-3028; e-mail editor@juneauempire.com.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A letter to the editor (sometimes abbreviated LTTE) is a letter sent to a publication about issues of concern to its readers. Usually, letters are intended for publication. Usually, letters to the editor are associated with newspapers and newsmagazines. However, they are sometimes sent to other periodicals (such as entertainment and technical magazines), and radio and television stations. In the latter instance, letters are sometimes read on the air (usually, on a news broadcast or on talk radio). In many publications, letters to the editor may be sent either through conventional mail or electronic mail.
Subject matter
The subject matter of letters to the editor vary widely. However, the most common topics include:
- Supporting or opposing an editorial stance, or responding to another writer's letter to the editor.
- Commenting on a current issue being debated by a governing body – local, regional or national depending on the publication's circulation. Often, the writer will urge elected officials to make their decision based on his/her viewpoint.
- Remarking on materials (such as a news story) that have appeared in a previous edition. Such letters may either be critical or praiseworthy.
- Correcting a perceived error or misrepresentation.
Letters to the editor are often used in astroturfing campaigns, to create the illusion of grassroots popular support in the community for a particular cause, candidate, or party.
Conditions
Letters are usually short, as they must sometimes fit in a limited space. Many newspapers require that letters to the editor be under a certain number of words, and may attach other conditions, such as prohibiting anonymous letters, letters that contain misinformation or are meant to libel someone, are obscene or in poor taste, or are meant to resolve a personal conflict. Other frequent conditions include limiting writers to one published letter within a specified time period (often, one per 30 days); limiting the publication of letters on controversial topics after a certain time period, especially if the debate takes an emotional toll on the involved parties; and refusal to publish letters that are almost exclusively biblical citations. Some editors will also decline to publish letters that have also been sent to other newspapers, especially competing newspapers. |
