Publication editors face internal controversy
By Anna Marie Kukec
Controversies can also hit a bar in not-so-public ways. Take, for example, in-house publications. On occasion, staff editors may face an internal controversy when handling material that strikes a nerve.
For example, the Massachusetts Bar Association’s Lawyers Journal prints most letters to the editor, unless they are defamatory, inarticulate or inaccurate. The letters run even if they state a position contrary to a bar’s position. While this editorial policy is similar to that used by general circulation newspapers, it can be difficult for some bar leaders and staff who may wish to avoid editorial controversy.
Last year, the Journal headlined an article with a controversial statement made by a court official at a section meeting.
"When the official read the article, he indicated his displeasure to one of our leaders who questioned me why we couldn’t have just headlined our article, ‘Court official speaks to section.’ Fortunately, our executive director, Susan Waters, and all of our presidents have been very supportive of our editorial style," says William Litant of Boston, the bar’s communication director.
Prompted by the results of a survey, the Journal changed its editorial approach to reflect a newspaper orientation. At the time, the bar had published more traditional newsletters which served as vehicles for meeting notices, board positions and president's’ messages. The survey show that few read them, and those who did, delayed opening the publications for days or weeks.
"Our newspaper, with its hard news, editorial and op-ed opportunities, provides much more lively messages from the presidents, and yes, those meeting notices also enjoy tremendous and rapid reader response," Litant adds.
New Hampshire Bar Association officials also struggled with presenting controversial views, according to Communications Director Dan Wise of Concord. A recent spark involved judiciary rule-making powers, which are under examination by a legislative committee. The unified bar hasn’t taken a position on this issue, but has received some letters and articles that are critical of the judiciary. One letter was from a board member, in fact.
"We don’t want to be accused of muzzling membership, but we also have to consider that these (letters) will be taken as association views by the public and the judiciary," Wise says.
The Bar News editorial policy currently gives the editorial board discretion to edit letters that make personal attacks. "It’s ticklish no matter what your policy," Wise adds.
Publication editors face internal controversy By Anna Marie Kukec Controversies can also hit a bar in not-so-public ways. Take, for example, in-house publications. On occasion, staff editors may face an internal controversy when handling material that strikes a nerve. For example, the Massachusetts Bar Association’s Lawyers Journal prints most letters to the editor, unless they are defamatory, inarticulate or inaccurate. The letters run even if they state a position contrary to a bar’s position. While this editorial policy is similar to that used by general circulation newspapers, it can be difficult for some bar leaders and staff who may wish to avoid editorial controversy. Last year, the Journal headlined an article with a controversial statement made by a court official at a section meeting. "When the official read the article, he indicated his displeasure to one of our leaders who questioned me why we couldn’t have just headlined our article, ‘Court official speaks to section.’ Fortunately, our executive director, Susan Waters, and all of our presidents have been very supportive of our editorial style," says William Litant of Boston, the bar’s communication director. Prompted by the results of a survey, the Journal changed its editorial approach to reflect a newspaper orientation. At the time, the bar had published more traditional newsletters which served as vehicles for meeting notices, board positions and president's’ messages. The survey show that few read them, and those who did, delayed opening the publications for days or weeks. "Our newspaper, with its hard news, editorial and op-ed opportunities, provides much more lively messages from the presidents, and yes, those meeting notices also enjoy tremendous and rapid reader response," Litant adds. New Hampshire Bar Association officials also struggled with presenting controversial views, according to Communications Director Dan Wise of Concord. A recent spark involved judiciary rule-making powers, which are under examination by a legislative committee. The unified bar hasn’t taken a position on this issue, but has received some letters and articles that are critical of the judiciary. One letter was from a board member, in fact.
"We don’t want to be accused of muzzling membership, but we also have to consider that these (letters) will be taken as association views by the public and the judiciary," Wise says.
The Bar News editorial policy currently gives the editorial board discretion to edit letters that make personal attacks. "It’s ticklish no matter what your policy," Wise adds.
The editorial board at the State Bar of Wisconsin encourages controversial letters. In fact, their readership survey showed this column has high readability, according to Joyce Hastings of Madison, the bar’s publications director.
Controversial letters were traditionally sent to the executive director and bar president in advance of publication for the addition of editorial notes or explanations. However, one letter rankled a past president.
"The president told me that a letter would run over his dead body. Although the letter never ran for a variety of reasons, the editorial board was outraged, and the issue received much attention," Hastings recalls.
The situation resulted in a frank conversation about the role of a bar president and the editorial board and who has final decision-making power.
"A new policy was put in place stating that only the board of governors, and not the president, has the power to stifle appropriate dialog," Hastings adds.
Anna Marie Kukec
