[tab name=’Guidelines’]
Guidelines : Letter to Editor
Writing Letters to the Editor
Guidelines and Alternate Phrases
- State your position–either agreement or disagreement on an issue–or point out an error in the media information.
- I wholeheartedly agree with your position on….
- I, too, become disturbed by reports that say….
- Your editorial statement on…is extremely premature.
- I disagree most definitely with….
- In an August 6 article entitled “Candid Shots,” you printed very dated statistics on our company with regard to….
- Give the correct information in the case of error. If you are offering a different position on an issue, state your reasons and cite sources of any data.
- Request a retraction, if necessary, for erroneous information.
- We demand a retraction in your next issue.
- In an upcoming issue, please give the correct source of that statistic and explain the conditions under which the survey was done.
- We expect an immediate decision about retracting your claim.
- In the next issue of your journal, we ask you to include our company among the other vendors listed as offering this service.
- We demand you correct this impression immediately with a statement to the effect that….
- Thank the editor for his or her efforts in informing the community when you agree with the editorial position.
- Thank you for your vitally important contributions on the issue.
- We appreciate your service to the community.
- We appreciate seeing such provocative opinions carried in your paper.
- Your efforts may save a life. Thank you.
- We appreciate your using your media spotlight so responsibly.
- Thank you for your concern as evidenced by your article on this disturbing trend.
- Thank you for putting the safety of the community above your own profit.
- Thank you for expressing the issues so succinctly and poignantly.
- You have done us all a great service today with this editorial.
- You have treated the situation responsibly and with sensitivity. We commend you.
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[tab name=’Example 1′]
Example 1: Sample letters for retraction
Company Name or Letterhead
Address
City, State Zip
Date
Addressee
Address
City, State Zip
Dear Editor:
In your March 1 issue of NTR, you stated our organization has been losing money ever since we launched our new product line, Mixus, and we were on the brink of bankruptcy. The truth of the matter is we have shown a profit in six out of the past eight quarters. In no way has the Mixus line been our downfall, as you imply. Our revenue for this product has been just slightly under our projections during this period of product introduction to our customers.
As you are aware, such implications of impending bankruptcy directly affect our relationships with suppliers and distributors. We insist you immediately print a correction.
Yours truly,
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[tab name=’Example 2′]
Example 2: Letter of thanks to editor
Company Name or Letterhead
Address
City, State Zip
Date
Addressee
Address
City, State Zip
Dear Editor:
Your stand on the illiteracy problem here in our community is commendable. With the necessary sensitivity, the feature focused on the everyday problems facing the illiterate citizen and then hit the rest of us hard with statistics that cannot be ignored.
For years, we’ve waited for “somebody else” to do it–to fund the projects we know can make a difference in the local workforce. The Literacy One-Plus-One program provides an innovative strategy to involve people in volunteer work that can literally change the way we do business here in Edenburgh and improve life for all our citizens.
Thank you for using your strong voice to highlight this program and to appeal for the appropriate funding.
Sincerely,
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[tab name=’Example 3′]
Example 3: Correction request letter to media
Company Name or Letterhead
Address
City, State Zip
Date
Addressee
Address
City, State Zip
Dear Editor:
I wholeheartedly agree with your January 15 editorial. We need to take action to clean up Lake Allen before it becomes a serious hazard to swimmers and recreational boaters. However, I strongly disagree with your assertion that the planned nuclear power plant on the Harris Inlet will contribute to lake pollution.
We plan to build the plant on the lake because water pumped into the plant functions as a coolant, regulating core temperatures. At no time does water come in contact with any nuclear or other hazardous materials. In fact, the water we use and pump back into the lake will be cleaner than it was before because it will go through a filtering system.
I want to stress that the proposed power plant will in no way pollute the lake. Citizens have a right to decide what is the safest and most economical power source for their community. However, they can’t decide correctly if they are misinformed. I am sure, as the largest newspaper in the city, you would be loath to spread misinformation. Please print a retraction correcting your January 15 editorial.
Sincerely,
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[tab name=’Example 4′]
Example 4: Letter to the editor
Company Name or Letterhead
Address
City, State Zip
Date
Addressee
Address
City, State Zip
Dear Editor:
We want to thank you for your series of articles on corporate contributions to the community. All too often, we fight the stereotype that, as a large corporation, we are only interested in taking advantage of the city and our employees. The opposite is true; we are here for our employees and the city. Eight percent of our operating budget goes into community initiative projects, from sponsoring little league teams to supporting a soup kitchen in south Cleveland.
Your series brought to light all the hard work and caring behind businesses’ civic efforts. We were particularly pleased to see our own volunteer coordinator, Carol Hastings, highlighted in your June 19 article. The author, Sally Li, makes the astute point that corporate community work fosters employee community work. At Aaron Technologies, we give employees four days off per year to participate in our volunteer program.
And we’re not alone. Companies all over the city are working every day to make this a more pleasant place to live for everyone. Thank you for giving your readers a fresh and accurate look at local corporations.
Sincerely,
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[tab name=’Example 5′]
Example 5: Request letter for retraction
Company Name or Letterhead
Address
City, State Zip
Date
Addressee
Address
City, State Zip
Dear Editor:
Your September 28 article on local telephone service de-regulation was woefully one-sided. You presented only the benefits of de-regulation: competition and the possibility of lower rates. There are considerable disadvantages.
To begin with, providing local telephone service is an expensive and extensive undertaking. There is absolutely no guarantee companies allowed to enter the market will be able to provide lower rates. In fact, after installing millions of miles of line, chances are their rates will be considerably higher. The result may be that consumers will have six choices, but all six are likely to be more costly than their present rates.
The people of Milwaukee do have a say in their local telephone service. American Tel Com’s rates are controlled by a board made up of elected officials and ATC executives. Consumers have input when they vote for board members every four years, ensuring they get the lowest rates we can afford to offer.
When you address this issue in the future, we would appreciate a more balanced discussion that recognizes the benefits of a regulated industry.
Sincerely,
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