Please, take time to join the conversation
Earlier this month we made the switch to a Facebook commenting system on our website and I’m happy to report that we’ve already seen an increase in the number of online comments.
While the change was primarily to put an end to anonymous commenting on BCLocalNews.com and its family of websites including MerrittHerald.com, the new system is more in line with the spirit of online commenting — that is to create a forum for dialogue and conversation. Through the medium of Facebook, people’s comments are no longer confined to our website and the conversation is extended to their online social network.
In the same way that I enjoy walking into a local coffee shop or business and overhearing people discussing news in our paper, it makes me happy to see that the dialogue is taking place online as well.
The purpose of a community newspaper is to report the local news that readers won’t find anywhere else, but it should also be a forum for discussion and dialogue among members of the community.
Whether through an online comment, or a letter to the editor, we’d like to hear your reactions to the news that we’re reporting. We’d also like to hear your opinion on other relevant issues affecting Merrittonians.
We realize that there are some people who don’t have a Facebook account and we still want to hear from you. Either you can start a new Facebook account, or, if you choose, you can send us a letter to the editor by email to newsroom@merrittherald.com. And we still accept letters the old fashioned way. Write to us at P.O. Box 9, Merritt, B.C. V1K 1B8 or drop by the Herald office on Granite Ave and deliver your letter personally.
Besides commenting online or writing a letter, we hope that you will participate in other ways too. If you have an event you’d like us to cover, or a photo you’d like us to take please call or send an email and let us know.
Perhaps you know someone who would be a great feature in our “Friends and Neighbours” section. Either share your idea with us or submit an article yourself.
We’re also hoping that you will participate by sending us your photos from the Christmas season and allow us to share them with the community.
Our little newspaper shouldn’t be a place where one or two people have a monopoly over what is said or featured. Whether you live in our community or beyond, your opinions are valid and we want to hear them. So please, join the conversation.
COMMENTS
Let's keep comments:
We ask that all participants own their words by logging in with their Facebook account. It's a simple process that will take seconds and helps keep our comments free of trolls, cranks, and “drive-by” commenters.
We reserve the right to remove comments from anyone using screen names, pseudonyms or false identities. Please see our FAQ if you have questions or concerns about using Facebook to comment.