Letters to the Irish Times

Mad Finn

How do you get a letter published in the Irish Times? And why do some correspondents seem to be more favoured than others?

I know the IT must get a lot of people writing to them, can't possibly publish everything and probably only gives a cursory glance to many of the letters coming in but it certainly seems that some people have more success than others at getting their letters published.

I for one have never had a letter printed, although I have written on more than one occasion to express my perfectly reasonable views. Other people seem to have residency spots in the pages. It seems that any time that nut from the Immigration Control Platform Aine Ni Chonaill puts pen to paper or fingers to keyboard, her rants get published. There is also a chap called Tony Allwright from Killiney whose neocon views get a regular airing. (there's that left-wing bias in the Irish media again)

But the biscuit has to go to a perfectly inoffensive writer from Galway Mr Tom Greally who has had TWO letters published on the same day (sub required). Neither were on earth-shaking subjects of world import--one commented on how pleasant the Galway Races crowd is if you avoid the corporate and political hospitality tents and the other asked for more benches for O'Connell Street.

How did he do it?

flogen

I'd assume like everyone else.... letters@irish-times.ie

I would say that the first two regular writers can be explained by the fact that the letters page often serves to give alternative views on the articles and topics in The Irish Times.
I'm sure that some people do nothing but write letters to the Irish Times too, and the more you write the more chance you have of getting published, assuming what you're writing has a point (right or wrong).

Maybe there is some conspiracy where certain people get preferencial treatment over others, but I doubt it...

monument

Mad Finn wrote:

It seems that any time that nut from the Immigration Control Platform Aine Ni Chonaill puts pen to paper or fingers to keyboard, her rants get published. There is also a chap called Tony Allwright from Killiney whose neocon views get a regular airing. (there's that left-wing bias in the Irish media again)

A guest on one of the Guardian podcasts recently claimed that because of the media’s apparent left bias some programme producers, editors etc overcompensate for their apparent bias by allowing more people with different views to air their views. In the form of allowing more rightwing commentators on air etc. (The discussion was slightly more complex then that, but you get the idea)

But be careful, don’t even sent any “mildly-controversial” letters

mike65

I suspect the best way to be published is to coment on something that is newsworthy or which offers an different angle on something thats been on-going/nagging away (the O'Connell street benches story works in this respect as it also appeals to the fact D'Olier Street is a stone throw away).

All news is local!

The other main issue is green ink - don't use it.

Mike.

monument

mike65 wrote:

I suspect the best way to be published is to coment on something that is newsworthy or which offers an different angle on something thats been on-going/nagging away (the O'Connell street benches story works in this respect as it also appeals to the fact D'Olier Street is a stone throw away).

It goes well with recent articles (I think attached to some of the coverage of the recent Debenhams story) of the city just for shopping, with no areas to sit down etc.