By Austin Lewter
On Monday, a colleague said, “Austin, you are to be commended for your willingness to publish opinions that differ so much from your own. It really shows your commitment to free speech.”
His remark was made during a passing conversation about a recent letter to the editor, so I’m not sure he knew just how reaffirming it was to me.
Likewise, several years ago, a colleague came to me with a column he had written.
The topic was of great local importance at the time and he and I did not see eye-to-eye personally on the matter.
He said, “I wrote this. I know you don’t agree with it, so I understand if you don’t want to run it.”
I read it and didn’t have to give it much thought.
“This is well written,” I said. “You make a great case and detail your thoughts excellently. We’ll run it this week.”
He smiled and said, “So I changed your mind? You agree with me now?”
“No, not at all,” I said. “But we don’t have to agree. It’s not our job to agree. Our job is to provide a platform for all sides of an argument.”
Sadly, the abolition of the Fairness Doctrine gutted this notion from broadcast television.
Social media has only intensified the echo chamber that has become American discourse.
Newspaper publishers are behooved to offer equal time to all sides of an issue and local newspapers still serve as the bedrock of conversation for their community.
I challenge you to make a habit interacting with someone who is on the opposite side of an argument you hold dear.
Have an actual conversation, not a social media comment war.
Sit down and have a cup of coffee and talk things out.
Listen and reply and keep things civil.
I guarantee you will come away stimulated and more open minded.
Spend time with your local paper and write a letter to the editor.
Engagement leads to compromise and compromise leads to progress.
A publisher’s job has never been to agree or disagree. Our job is to encourage a robust conversation.
Communities and democracies both thrive amidst conversations involving differing opinions.
Austin Lewter is the Co-Publisher & Editor of the Jefferson Jimplecute. He can be reached at jeffersonjimplecute@gmail.com.