Dear Editor,
Like everyone who read the daily newspaper, I was shocked to read that Stabroek News would be closing its doors from the middle of this month. I waited and waited to learn that the decision would be reversed, but have eventually come to the realization that wouldn’t be happening. I wouldn’t be extolling the benefits of Stabroek News, as many have eloquently done that.
I was equally disappointed that some of those, literally rolling in money, couldn’t come to the rescue of Stabroek News, to ensure the continuation of this national asset. I supposed that now with the imminent closure of the newspaper, considered a “thorn in the side” of not only the current, but others as well, this government would make good its debt to company.
What I would miss the most, are the articles, editorials, commentaries and letters, that Stabroek News, fearlessly published, even though I didn’t always agree with the contents. I looked forward to the “online” comments, which ranged from humorous to serious, objective and subjective, lively debates, sometimes personal and at other times downright abusive. Nevertheless, they all added value and perspective to the subject commented on.
Additionally, I did not always agree with the moderator’s decision to refrain from publishing comments (from the complaints seen), except for libel, scandals, defamation or to advance societal and/ or divisiveness, etc. I conclude that it was the moderator’s prerogative to publish something in its entirety or NOT to publish it at all. I’m convinced from discussions that the comments added value to whatever was commented on.
With this uppermost in mind, I wish to throw out a challenge to the other “independent” newspaper, Kaieteur News, to take up the “void” to be created by the non-publication of Stabroek News, and include a “comments” component even if only to its “on line” editions.
I’m thinking that readers would be willing to pay a reasonable charge, to be able to follow the comments, contributions, suggestions of “usual suspects” who would now be left unoccupied. To do this, the waterfall newspaper would most likely have to adapt a (near) similar editorial strategy as Stabroek news was respected for.