Over the years readers have largely switched from print to electronic and digital forms of communication in sending us comments and letters. Initially that meant mostly email, which was a relatively seamless transition from printed letters.
But with each story having an online comment section, and the rise of social media, the balance of reader response to our stories now comes in "non-traditional" formats. To accommodate these new forms of reader responses, we've changed our letters to the editor page format several times. For about a year, we we were running social media comments in smaller typeface below the traditional letters to the editor. Many people found the design difficult to read and parse. And reader comment in social media and online comments often was greater in volume than emailed letters to the editor.
As a result, we're experimenting with the page yet again to include comment section and social media responses in the regular section. We're differentiating them by referring to them as "online", but otherwise they will be rendered on the page in the same style as emailed letters, and should be more readable as a result.
Despite all things going digital, we still get the occasional print letter, and even a handwritten card or two. All are welcome.
