MMD Editorial Practices
By Phil Benson
The current comments on editorial policy are interesting in that it proves what I've always known: everyone wants something different.
As the editor of The Key Frame for FOPS, I try to keep my comments within, or connected with, letters or articles very short and only to clarify a point being made or to correct an obvious mistake on the part of a letter writer who may, say, have simply mis-read another author's letter or article. (I fail to resist the urge occasionally, but only ever with people I know personally!) In most cases, they know more about their subject than I do, anyway.
I do have a section of the magazine to myself, however, called "Comment", which can be flippant or serious (depending on the circumstances and the level of annoyance or humour I'm feeling at the time) but it's always (I hope) relevant to the work of the Society, the running of the magazine, or about the members. I tend to cover aspects of the Society that are a little "dodgy", too -- the sort of thing the "silent majority" would love to comment on, and indeed do so verbally, but are reluctant, or too polite, to put it into writing. I'm not exactly bashful and can use a wooden spoon with some skill.
The MMD seems, to me, to be a completely different platform. Unlike many society publications, reflecting the policy of the society, it is a forum in the classical sense of a meeting place, albeit we don't actually touch hands; a market place, a place for discussion and debate. (Perhaps we should draw a veil over the "court" and "tribunal" parts of the Concise English Dictionary's definition). As contributors to this forum, perhaps we should take for granted the hecklers who are bound to walk into the square just as we get into our pontifical stride and remind us that we are seldom really as important as we think we are. They have been a part of debate for centuries; they are commentators, they are "editors".
Pontification over, I would suggest that Jody and Robbie have it about right and should continue their excellent work as moderators, comment- ators, editors and hecklers for the benefit of the mere mortals among us and to the frustration of others. After all, unlike the printed word, if I don't like what they say in the MMD I can simply "Ctrl+X" their opinions to oblivion!
As I said at the beginning, everyone wants something different. I like it the way it is, thanks. Anyway, I'm just a new boy - what do I know?
Phil Benson
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(Message sent Tue 11 Feb 1997, 00:01:49 GMT, from time zone GMT-0500.) |
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