In today’s "After Deadline" column (Contra Costa Times) Dan Hatfield details reaction to the fake letters to the editor story in last Sunday’s paper.
Clearly what Kyle Vallone did, impersonate others, is wrong. That he was able to get so many letters published is amazing. Did it shift the debate? What impact do letters to the editor have?
I’m not sure though that I agree with Hatfield’s attack on what he calls "astroturf" letters.
"As I have written here before, my colleagues and I also have to fight against what we call "Astroturf" letters. These are letters that are sent out by special-interest groups that use the same words and simply sign different names to them. They basically are fake grassroots efforts, hence the nickname."
If more than one person signs an identical letter and includes their name, address and phone number is it "fake"? I don’t think so. In this day and age – many people feel strongly about something but don’t have the time to sit and compose a letter to the editor. They may rely on their trusted "interest group" to help them clarify their thinking and express it by providing sample letters.
Knight-Ridder buys the ink so the Times and Hatfield get to decide which letters make the paper. It can’t be easy figuring out which letters are real and fake – as the Kyle Vallone episode shows. But Vallone’s letters were individually crafted fakes. If done correctly – the so-called "astroturf" letters are, at least, honest representations of real readers’ opinions.
Please note: I reserve the right to delete comments that are offensive or off-topic.