Chapter 4 of Journalists and the Public begins with talking about how editors like to publish letters that spark public debate. Editors are inclined to publish a letter from the public as long as it has relevance and is not a personal attack on anyone. The quote we chose to analyze was "editors see a policy of limited editorial intervention as the only way to ensure an open and honest debate about the varied issues that face citizens of a multicultural society. They are also eager to show that ethical aims of fairness, accuracy and balance underpin the letters pages. (Page 87). I tend to agree with this quote on the basis that if an editor
searches out for a certain piece that fits their ideas, it then cancels out public opinion. It is the editors job to search the letters and then come up with what the editor feels is the public opinion. By doing this the editor has done their job and has succeeded in putting forth an opinion that is supported by a majority of people. If the editor is able to do this he or she is able to open up a public debate and will allow for more letters with different public opinions to filter through the system.
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