LETTERS: LETTERS POLICY IS SPELLED OUT IN MORE DETAIL

From the editor:

For several years, the Southeast Missourian has had a letters-to-the-editor policy that put more emphasis on getting you to write letters than on keeping your letters from getting published.

But several trends have developed, and the result is the letters policy below.

First, There are more letters, partly due to the ease of sending letters by e-mail. This method is actually preferred on this end -- but no attachments. Send text only.

Second, the final days before any election are ripe for abuse of letters to the editor. I have tried to be fair. But recent events make it clear that loose guidelines aren't sufficient.

The policy below also deals with the length and the frequency of letters.

Until just a few weeks ago, letters of almost any length were published. It has become more and more difficult to accommodate wordy letters. The result is the 250-word maximum.

My computer has a built-in program that counts words. Some letter writers may count words differently. To be honest, I don't even know how the automated computer program counts words. But what my computer says is final. In some cases, I allow a few words over 250 to let a writer complete a thought. But only a few.

Letters from the editor, by the way, are obviously exempt from this limit.

And consider this: Shorter letters always run at the top of the letters column. That's a hint.

Longer letters may be published as guest columns, but only if the topic warrants and if I think the topic deserves this special treatment.

As for frequency, I have a list of 20 writers so far who frequently contribute more than one letter a month. If you start writing a lot of letters, your name will be added.

Letters policy

Letter guidelines for the Southeast Missourian.

1. Letters on topics of general public interest are welcomed.

2. All letters must be signed. The name of the writer(s) will be published.

3. All letters to be considered for publication must include the name of the town where the writer lives and a daytime telephone number where the writer may be reached during normal business hours.

4. Letters must be 250 words or less.

5. Letters may be mailed, faxed or e-mailed. The mail address is Letters, Southeast Missourian, P.O. Box 699, Cape Girardeau, Mo. 63702. The fax number is 573-334-7288. The e-mail address is Letters@semissourian.com.

6. Only one letter each month from writers who submit more than one letter a month will be considered for publication.

7. Regarding letters about candidates and other election issues:

A. Letters from candidates will not be published from the time a person files for office until the day after the election, unless the letter is about a non-election topic and considered of unusual importance to the public dialogue regarding topics of current topical interest.

B. Letters about candidates will not be published. Candidates issues may be addressed through advertising. Please consult with an advertising representative for guidelines and restrictions.

C. Letters about election issues will be published until the Tuesday before an election. In the week prior to an election, only rebuttals to previously published letters will be considered for publication. Any letter received after 5 p.m. Thursday prior to an election will not be published. No letters about election issues will be published on the Sunday or Monday prior to an election or on Election Day.

8. These guidelines notwithstanding, the editor will make the final determination on the suitability of all letters submitted for publication.

~R. Joe Sullivan is the editor of the Southeast Missourian.