IN’s Pavia: Let’s agree to disagree respectfully

After seven years as editor of this publication, I have come to learn that our readers aren't shy. During that time, I have been on the receiving end of some strongly worded letters and e-mails from subscribers who didn't see eye to eye with me on one of my columns or with an InvestmentNews editorial.

After seven years as editor of this publication, I have come to learn that our readers aren’t shy. During that time, I have been on the receiving end of some strongly worded letters and e-mails from subscribers who didn’t see eye to eye with me on one of my columns or with an InvestmentNews editorial.

Sometimes, reader comments take an angry tone, and that is fine, too. For the most part, even the angriest comments have been civil and professional.

By contrast, let me share with you a rather crude e-mail from a not-insignificant executive in the securities industry responding to a recent Just Thinking column, “SEC must stand ground on Goldman Sachs case” (June 7).

He wrote:

“I can’t believe what I read in the recent issue — you calling for Goldman Sachs to be punished by the SEC. Are you an idiot? Don’t you know that the people who bought this product were sophisticated investors? Pile on, you asshole.”

VALUING FEEDBACK

Whether you take the reader’s side of the Goldman Sachs argument or mine, I think you would agree that name-calling constitutes neither thoughtful discourse nor a persuasive argument.

Our name-caller’s diatribe notwithstanding, InvestmentNews’ view on reader responses is simple: We encourage and value it.

Disagreement is fine, especially when it is constructive, because that sort of input helps us learn from possible mistakes and improves our ability to serve readers.

The give-and-take becomes a learning opportunity for editors and reporters alike, sometimes prompting follow-up stories and other coverage.

Responding to a column, an editorial or a news story in this newspaper through a letter to the editor is a great way to speak out on issues that are important to you. Our editorial staff reads all your comments, and I can assure you that more people than you might think read the letters section each week, as well as the comments that are posted online.

At a minimum, however, a letter to the editor should be in good taste. Profanity adds nothing to the strength of the argument being made, only underscores the writer’s laziness and diminishes his or her status.

LOSE THE PROFANITY

Place a letter to the editor that uses profanity next to an identical message without the dirty words and the latter will be seen as smarter, more appropriate, more thoughtful, more professional and more positive.

Here is the take-away for those who want to make the most of their comments to us: Think about the point or points you want to make, and state them clearly and concisely. If you want to criticize us or take a swipe, go right ahead.

But for everyone’s sake, keep it clean.

At InvestmentNews, our goal is to deliver news and information in the most timely and organized way possible. Serious, thoughtful and respectful feedback from our readers will help us deliver on that promise.

As always, feel free to call or send me an e-mail and let me know what is on your mind.

I have said it before, and I will say it again — I really do welcome your comments.

Jim Pavia is the editor of –InvestmentNews.