It’s not often I personally address a public comment or argument. In fact, it’s only done when a reader submission disseminates incorrect or inaccurate information about My Sun Day News, as is seen in a letter appearing in this edition that presumes My Sun Day News is only distributed in Sun City. This presumption is in regards to the debate on whether or not My Sun Day News should publish Political Place letters.
Yes, Sun City is the primary distribution area for My Sun Day News, but it is NOT solely distributed in Sun City. Approximately 1,000 copies (a little less) circulate outside Sun City into the greater Huntley area. As well, a small stack is delivered to the Huntley Area Public Library for anyone to take or read; not to mention www.mysundaynews.com is available to anyone in the world, if so chosen.
So although the overwhelming distribution area for My Sun Day News falls within Sun City, it is available and accessible to the greater Huntley area and beyond.
But that is not why we would never adhere to Sun City’s communication guidelines, which the letter also suggests. Adhering to those guidelines, as indirectly as it would be, would give SCCAH editorial control of My Sun Day News, therefore, making it biased, which we won’t allow.
My Sun Day News is and always will be an unbiased news publication and is a place that allows EVERY voice to be heard, which leads to the current argument taking place in our “Hang Your Hat” section about whether or not to remove “Political Place” from My Sun Day News.
It will not be removed. Politics are a part of our community and newspapers are supposed to be a reflection of the community they serve, so first, yes, politics (whether through actual news stories or in letters) do belong within the pages of My Sun Day News because it occurs in and applies to the community.
But the most important reason why we won’t adhere to the requests to remove “Political Place” letters from My Sun Day News is that it would be silencing a group of people for the censorship wants of another group. History has shown many times over why that is not good.
I understand why people are making the request and I appreciate the interest in My Sun Day News and the want to make it even more specifically enjoyable to suit each reader’s tastes.
We ALL have done that in our media interests. How many times have you been invested in a TV show only to see it take a turn you don’t like, and you end up telling your family or friends or whoever will listen, “You know what they should have done, they should have….”
For those of you who don’t like seeing “Political Place” letters in the paper, you’re not without options. If you don’t like “Political Place,” please feel free to skip reading the letters. And if you really don’t like “Political Place” and disagree wholeheartedly, you can skip reading My Sun Day News completely. It’s your choice, which is what My Sun Day News will always give readers: a choice. A choice to read and a choice to be heard.
Chris La Pelusa
MSDN Publisher
