Why do newspapers publish obviously stupid letters?

Question

There are some published letters to the editor that reveal that their writers do not have not the slightest idea what they are talking about, getting even the most simple facts wrong or have a completely unrealistic worldview (for instance, one reader wrote to our metropolitan daily that the licence plate renewal sticker "can not cost more than 5 cents" for material, raging about about the extra dollars he had to pay, implying that someone is getting rich with that money, apparently being unaware that the money is spent on road projects or planned for in the state budget).

Why publish letters that are obviously false or nonsensical? Is it that the editor has a particular point of view and wants to support it with letters that are supportive (albeit stupid)... or weaken an opposing opinion by publishing crazy letters (and maybe withholding good other letters taking the same stance?). Or do some editors just poke some fun at the crazy folks?

Answer 1

My dad is an editor at a newspaper, and he has been for 42 years and I've asked him the same question.

I'm reading the letters and im wondering exactly who are these people writing these letters?

He says it's sometimes because they accept all of them, but mostly just because it's stupid and sort of funny. Something completely serious and up to date and correct isn't as amusing as an opinion of some whack job. Hey, you gotta admit some of those are pretty funny.

Answer 2

While good letters obviously have a better chance of getting in the paper, it's important to get all points of view in. That includes the bad ones.

And sometimes the bad ones generate comment, which can be a goal.