A picture is worth a 1,000 words...

SEELEY LAKE – We’ve received a handful of comments regarding the editorial cartoon printed in the March 14 issue on page 2. We always appreciate constructive feedback – it helps us better serve our readers.

First, the editorial cartoon was not the opinion of the paper. It was drawn, submitted, paid for and signed by S. Herbert, a Pathfinder subscriber. It represents the cartoonist’s opinion only.

After several readers pointed out that typically editorial cartoons represent the opinion of the paper, we realized that while it appeared on the Opinion page we should have taken better steps to identify it. While the cartoon was signed, we did not include the full name, city and state as required for all other editorials and letters to the editor.

We had never received an editorial cartoon prior to this submission and we did not have a policy in place. Regarding the content of the cartoon, we judged it on the same merit as letters to the editor. We felt it fit within the policy.

We maintain one of our main goals for the Pathfinder is creating a platform for community discussion. While the content of the cartoon enraged and offended some of our readers, there were others the completely agreed with it. Whether the facts or images were correct is a matter of the cartoonist’s opinion. Readers are free to point out errors or express your outrage in a letter to the editor.

We maintain that the paper has no opinion. But, ironically, we ran two other editorial cartoons on page 8 of that same issue, March 14, that we did choose to run because they represent how we, as members of the media, feel about sunshine laws and the role media plays in keeping the government open to public inspection.

We feel cartoons are another way to express political opinions and provoke discussion. We would like to leave this option open and have outlined a new policy for submitted editorial cartoons.

• They must be original art of the person submitting the cartoon.

• The cartoon will print 4X4 in black and white on an opinion page and must be legible at that size.

• The cartoonist will be identified below the cartoon with their name, city and state like all other editorials.

It has been said that a picture is worth a 1,000 words. Since we limit letters to the editor to 500 words arguably a cartoon may be more impactful. It has also been pointed out that anyone can write a letter to the editor but not everyone can draw, giving someone with artistic ability an unfair advantage. Please let us know your thoughts!

As always, we also encourage you to use the letters to the editor to voice your opinion or refute one shared the previous week.