Credit to the Media Neutrality Project for the development of this policy.

LETTERS TO EDITOR

Length and form. Letters to the Editor may be a maximum of 800 words. Longer letters are dealt with on a case-by-case basis and may be published at the discretion of the editor. Letters should be typed. Handwritten letters will not be accepted.

GUEST COLUMNS [OP-EDS]

Length and form. The word length of Guest Columns must be between 500 and 1,000. Guest Columns should be typed. Handwritten letters will not be accepted.

STANDARD OF ACCEPTANCE OF LETTERS TO EDITOR AND GUEST COLUMNS 

We welcome respectful Letters to the Editor and Guest Columns from all points of view. It is our policy to print a wide range of viewpoints. However, we reserve the right to edit submissions for clarity and AP style, as well as to fact-check them and cut them to fit available space.

We also reserve the right to reject submissions when too many are received or when they do not comport with a basic standard of appropriateness. Submissions that contain personal attacks, racist, sexist, and offensive language, unreasonably delve into divisive culture positions, promote fear and anger, and contain untruths are inappropriate and will not be accepted for publication. Submissions that have a commercial purpose are also inappropriate. 

Local opinions favored. 

Letters to Editor and Guest Columns received from local readers will be favored for publication over those from outside our readership. 

How often may letters or guest columns be published from the same person?

We limit submissions of either Letter or Guest Columns to 1 per month from the same person. 

How to submit a letter or guest column?

All submissions can be submitted to the Editor via email or to this address: me@joshuavissers.com

Include your name, address, telephone number, and email address for verification. 

Portions of this policy were adapted from MLive and The Holland Sentinel.