A mirror or a window?

A newspaper, as other media, can often be compared to a mirror or a window. The mirror reflects the reader, as an individual, as a member of various organizations and groups and as a member of his or her community. The window gives readers a view outside of their environment – outside of their religious affiliations, geographical locations, financial status or personal beliefs.

Two weeks ago, at a Philosophers' Café at the Jewish Community Centre of Greater Vancouver, the Bulletin editor and owners discussed the question, Which are we – the window or the mirror? Many readers want their community paper to be a mirror so they can see themselves in the paper and feel their community paper supports their views and their causes. But we feel the newspaper works best as a window which, part of the time, reflects the person inside and part of the time offers a view outside the house.

In this regard, we offer reflections of all aspects of the Jewish community but also extend our view to those people outside of the community or within the community who have dissenting views.

It is this latter practice that has led us to print letters from some of the most controversial contributors this paper has seen. The reaction to this practice – to seeing opinions from Svend Robinson or Greg Felton on our Letters page – has ranged. Some people believe that hearing such voices is a necessary evil, others believe we should not be the ones offering any platform for their views.

We would like to hear from our readers now. Let us know, in a few hundred words, what you believe is the proper content for a Letters page. Should it only be voices supporting the views of the majority of the Jewish community? If not, how far should it go in allowing the opinions of those who are critical to the point of being anti-Israel?

Today, we offer views from other North American newspapers and an Israeli news agency. We look forward to hearing from you.