Truth in Letters to the Editor

Recently in the Times Record, I read a letter to the editor in which the writer claimed that Hillary Clinton was untrustworthy. The writer cited several examples of what he claimed were suspicious activities, including murder, perpetrated by Clinton.

These claims of dishonesty and criminal behavior have been circulating since Clinton became a figure in national politics. All have been extensively investigated by a variety of local and federal law enforcement agencies, by Congressional committees and by reputable, national news agencies, and none of these criminal accusations have been found to be true, and those activities that might be argued to be lapses in good sense, have not risen to the level of criminal behavior.

As this is the United States, a person is certainly free to have an opinion about a candidate, even an opinion that is based on old rumors and not on evidence. A newspaper, however, has a responsibility to be about information. By printing letters to the editor that continue to present as fact, statements that would be libelous if the subject was not a public person, the newspaper itself perpetuates the lie.

In this most contentious of elections, I would ask that when a letter to the editor appears in which untruths are stated, about any candidate, that the letter be accompanied by a notice that it contains accusations that have been investigated and found to be unsubstantiated. Otherwise, perhaps the newspaper would simply not publish letters containing lies about candidates from any and all political persuasions.

The issues in this election year are clear enough. We can, and should, determine for whom we will vote, and for whom we will advocate, without resorting to personal attack, slander and libel.

Madelyn Hennessey,

West Bath