Letters to the Editor

CHAPTER - 4

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

A Letter to the Editor is a letter written to the editor of a daily newspaper to address the issues of social concerns. It is an official letter sent to highlight the social issues. It discusses the problems or issues. It should follow the rules of a formal letter. It can be written and sent to the newspaper office either by post or courier or through email. It can be written to create a lot of community discussion and stimulate the interest of the news media. The editors may accept or reject the letters. If they accept, they will publish in in their dailies. The letter to the editor should not be submitted under false names.

Reasons for Writing A Letter To The Editor

• An individual gets angry or frustrated at something and wants others to know it.

• An individual thinks a specific issue or problem is very important which needs to be spoken out and which needs immediate remedial measures

• An individual's group's strategy is to convince others to take a particular action either by the government or local bodies.

• An individual wants to propose an idea to others.

• An individual wants to educate the general public on a particular matter.

• An individual wants to impact policymakers or elected officials in a direct or indirect way.

•An individual can increase the awareness of issues

• An individual can begin a conversation on important issues through letter to the editor.

• A planned letter can inspire public interest and media coverage.

• If newspapers unfailingly disregard news releases, letter to the editor can be written.

The following tips are helpful for getting your letters accepted by the editor:

• Make sure to write your letter up to 300 words.

• Make sure to write the most important points in the first paragraph.

• Write a recent event in your community.

• You can use a little bit of personal stories to explain your point.

• Make sure to include your name to show credibility.

• Make sure to include your phone number and email as editors may contact you.

• You may submit a revised version of your letter at a later date if it is not accepted for the first time.

• You can also submit a disclosure of interest form along with the letter.

Letter To The Editor Format

• Sender's address: Name, address, phone number and email id.

• Date

• Receiving Editor's address: The Editor, name of the newspaper, area of head office taken from the newspaper.

• The Subject of the letter: It should be specified in one sentence in the first paragraph.

• Salutation: Make sure to write Sir/ Respected Sir/Madam. If you know the editor's name, there is nothing wrong in writing it.

• Body: It includes the matter of the letter. It should contain 3 paragraphs as given below:

• Paragraph 1: It should be short, clear and well-written with purpose of the letter.

• Paragraph 2: It should contain the details of the matter. Describe the issues and their significance. Choose simple language. Include proposals.

• Paragraph 3: Conclude the letter by requesting the editor to highlight the issues in the newspaper.

• Complimentary Conclusion: Regards, with warm regards, thanking you.

• Sender's full Name, Signature, and Designation

The rejection of the letters to the editor may have one of the following reasons:

• Personal attack of individuals

• Personal attack on individuals.

• Attack on noted personalities

• Attack on reputed organizations

• Profanity (irreligious behavior or obscene language)

• Libelous statements (a defamation on someone's reputation)

• Too lengthy

• Submitted without names

 

Example 1

Letter To The Editor on Social Problems

You are NithyaKalyani, a member of NGO Margam. Write a Letter to the Editor for a public campaign to clean the Yamuna river.

Ms. Nithya Kalyani R

46, Connaught Place

Date: 8 Feb 2022

New Delhi -1

The Editor

Hindustan Times

New Delhi

Subject: Need for a public campaign to clean Yamuna river-reg

Dear Editor,

I am NithyaKalyani, a member of NGO Margam. I am writing to you in order to highlight the declining situation of the river Yamuna.

The city of Delhi is getting polluted water from the Yamuna river. The residents are being blamed for this. They pollute the river with muck, dirt, and garbage. The river water is filled with waste materials, plastic, bacteria, and chemicals. It is not in good condition for consumption.

The public has been trying for a Water Treatment Plant. Still, the authorities have not responded to the continual requests.

Therefore, I request you to highlight the issue in your newspaper and generate public interest. We all have to come forward to set up the plant in the area.

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely,

NithyaKalyani

Member, Margam.

Ph: 09876 54321

 

Example 2

Letter to The Editor About Road Problems

Write a letter to the Editor of The Times of India' drawing the attention of the Govt to the issue faced by the people, requesting them for road construction.

Srinivasan.V,

7th February 2022

10, Netaji Road,

 Mumbai

The Editor

The Times of India

Mumbai

Subject: Construction of Road in Netaji Road

Dear Editor,

I am Srinivasan, a resident of Netaji Road. I am writing to highlight the issue faced by people in my locality due to the bad condition of the road.

The road leading to Public School is so congested throughout the day due to heavy traffic. It is the main road but there are potholes everywhere on the road posing threat to the safety of its users. Mainly during the morning hours, people are facing horrible situations when they have to reach their workplaces on time. Monsoon season aggravates the issue. A Public School is also situated on this road. So, school students and parents get irritated because of the potholes, traffic jam and blaring horns. These locality people have made many representations to the government, but no action has been taken so far to improve the condition of the road. That is why now through this letter we want to draw the attention of the Govt.

As the situation is unbearable, I request you to highlight this problem in your reputed newspaper so that it may attract the attention of the government which will take some immediate action to solve the issue.

Thanking you,

Yours Sincerely,

Srinivasan.

Ph: 09876 54311

 

Example 3

Letter to the Editor about the problems in your locality.

You are Arjun, a resident of Mayur Vihar, New Delhi. Write a letter to the Editor to highlight the absence of a playground in your area.

Arjun. R

15 Mayur Vihar

6th February 2022.

New Delhi

The Editor

The Hindustan Times

New Delhi

Sub: Absence of playground in our area.

Dear Editor,

I am Arjun. I am a resident of Mayur Vihar. I am writing this letter to bring to the notice of the authorities concerned towards the absence of playground and other sports facilities in our area. The neighbouring areas have playground and other sports facilities. Our residents have to go a long way to go and practice in the neighbouring area. Sports activities are important in the present fast life. These enhance the well-being of the people. Sports are important not only for youth but also for older generation. In this present world of pollution and environment degradation, sports and games are necessary for health of all organisms. The children find the schooling and learning burdensome at times and they need to refresh themselves. The absence of playground steals the joy of childhood.

I request you to publish this appeal through the columns of your reputed newspaper so that it might attract the attention of the government.

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely,

Arjun. R

Ph No:1234567890

 

Example 4

Letter to the Editor about the contamination of lake water in your area.

Poorvaja. R

Venkatraman Nagar

5th February 2022

Korattur

Chennai 80

The Editor

The Hindu

Chennai

Respected Sir/Madam,

I wish to draw your attention to the fact that the lake at Korattur is being contaminated these days with untreated water from a nearby milk factory and the drainage and sewage water.

The lake water can be treated and purified and it can be supplied as potable water to the residents of this locality. Recently the residents are witnessing the water being viststhem contaminated by the untreated water from the nearby milk factory. I request the authorities concerned to treat and purify the water from the factory before being mixed with the lake blood water. The drainage and sewage water should go into drain instead of getting mixed with the lake water. Moreover the people throw garbage both degradable and non-degradable in the lake which should be protected with compound walls on all sides.

I request you to highlight this issue in your leading newspaper which may attract the notice of the government and local bodies to take suitable action to prevent contamination.

Thanking you

Yours sincerely

Poorvaja. R

Ph.2468108642

Example 5

Letter to the Editor about the mosquito menace in Ambattur Industrial Area.

Ms. Prakriti Sharma

No. 5 Ambattur Industrial Estate Road

4th February 2022

Ambattur

Chennai

The Editor

The Indian Express

Chennai

Dear Sir,

I would like to bring to your notice that the canal carrying drainage water and overflow of rain water to Coovumriver has become the breeding place for mosquitoes and flies in Ambattur Industrial Estate. The insects and pests cause infection to the local residents. It threats the hygiene of the place and health of the residents. I wish the authorities concerned to take immediate action to close the canal and the residents should be compelled to complete rain water harvesting immediately. Those who have already done rain water harvesting should do the follow-up work every year to monitor whether the structure is in good condition at present.

Kindly publish the above article in your esteemed daily to attract the notice of the concerned officials.

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely,

Prakriti Sharma

Ph.13579 97531