criticism

3 March, 2010 - 15:02 by New ed.
What do you do when the resident "minder of everyone else's possible sensitivities" sends you objections to a 'joke' which you have included as innocuous but they find offensive and not our church policy!
‹ Are your readers in the church - or outside as well? Does anybody else out there combine their church news with a community newsletter? ›
Submitted by Clerestory on 6 March, 2010 - 10:30.
It is virtually impossible for an editor to perform his duties without getting some form of criticism along the line. Jokes and cartoons need careful treatment. I try to imagine who may be offended and why. If in any doubt, I don't include it.
Submitted by Our Page user on 6 March, 2010 - 22:47.
In reply to the opening question, if it was just this one person who objected, I wouldn't worry too much. Some people do like to complain. If you had several objectors about the same item, then of course, it would need a different approach. An editor's job is not an easy one!
Submitted by TyGwyn on 7 March, 2010 - 23:20.
I think that, if your magazine is generally well received by your readership, you can ride the specific complaints of individual readers, particularly if (as your submission implies) they have a known reputation as being over zealous. In the end, as editors, we have to trust to our judgement and good sense. We should always sanity check how we're doing regularly with our customers (vicar, ministry team, PCC, congregation members, wider readership). If that is O.K. then you can go back to your complainer and tell him/her that, although their input is welcomed and valued, it isn't in step with the readerships feeling. However, you did mention a 'joke'. Depends what it was - but these things have to be handled VERY sensitively and should never have any personal or too specifically local connotation. Humour is O.K. - satire can be dangerous and potentially offensive. Looking at it from the positive side, I tend to think that any criticsm is welcome - at least somebody out there is bothering to read and be moved by the results of your labours! :-)
Submitted by Link_Man on 12 March, 2010 - 18:04.
I agree with the comments by TyGwyn, submitted on 7 March. but we must be aware of our readership's feelings and sensitivities. As a result of comments, some years ago, I started to use a "disclaimer" at the bottom of the contents page (i.e. inside front cover):– "Opinions expressed in this magazine are personal opinions of the authors concerned and may not represent the policy of our Minister or of The Methodist Church. Such material is offered as a source of debate or reflection."
Submitted by Werburga on 18 March, 2010 - 01:13.
Occasionally someone has objected to articles submitted by others in the parish. This usually tends to be people who are 'serial' complainers. I have never shied away from printing anything controversial - as long as it isn't offensive, but I always print the name of the author. You soon acquire 'broad shoulders' as an editor.
Submitted by Sam Willing on 19 March, 2010 - 21:46.
You can't please all of the people, all of the time. I had a reader ask why I always had that 'boring thing every month about the vicar at st james the least' Our Magazine is usually 32 or 36 pages, so if that is the only 'complaint' out of 180 issues, then we can't be doing much wrong. (incidentally I have feedback from other readers who turn to that page first because they enjoy it so much) If on any occasion, I had several complaints about one item, then I would have to look into it and apologise,if necessary. So to get back to the original question - just be thankful that the rest of your readership apparently enjoyed the joke, so well done you !!!!
Submitted by Parish Sekky on 26 March, 2010 - 01:13.
We used to have a contributer who, writing as the Church Mouse, was always controversial (but never offensive). Sadly she has died and since her demise, our mag sales have dropped! I think some people bought our mag (50p!) just to see what she was saying THIS month! If nothing else, tat lady's writing ensure that apathy was minimised! As Mrs Editor said - you cant please all of the people all of the time.
Submitted by Tanzmeister on 16 April, 2010 - 21:17.
I see our magazine as being there to inform people about what is going on in the Parish (Churchwise) what is coming up, and to expand in articles aspects of that particular time in the church year. In addition to that I also go to some lengths to provide interesting stuff and funny bits so that people will actually read the publication. It is aimed at two groups: those who attend Church and those who don't but have some interest however vague. It has to cater for both and, as has already been said, we have to consider what is acceptable. So far I have had no complaints - maybe I'm so good or perhaps just lucky.
Submitted by Church Mouse on 8 May, 2010 - 17:08.
Ah, just joined for the first time (I too am a forum novice) and as recommended picked at random the pseudonymn Church Mouse (we have a few). Then what's the first thing I read? Posting by Parish Sekky about her correspondent writing as ....Church Mouse. Better watch my Ps and Qs! I have the same take as Tanzmeister - our newsletter goes to every house in the village, and the slightly more frivolous bits are designed to make those with no real interest in the church at least glance through it before it hits the bin. Some people love that element of fun, and say it has really livened up our newsletter, others think it lowers the tone. So it is a delicate balance, I know that I'll never please everyone all of the time, but I do need to listen to fair criticism when I get it wrong, and a couple of times I have had to eat a portion of humble pie.
Submitted by Ms Sara L Pass on 4 July, 2010 - 20:39.
Our last editor, who was also, like me, a church elder, and unlike me, leader of the young church as well, walked out suddenly one day because of overwork and left the church completely. As a result I never get any complaints. I think they're too scared of a repetition. Oh, wait, yes I did. The print was too small for our very elderly congregation to read. Our entire print run is large print these days. Our magazine is a sober reflection of our church. Down from 40 copies five years ago to less than 20 now. I would quite enjoy having more readers, even if it did lead to complaints. I have no contributors - the entire magazine except for the flower rota comes from Parish Pump material with occasional contributions from our shared minister. So if there was a complaint about the humour I would tell the complainant - I got it from an Anglican web site, implying that it must therefore be inoffensive and perfectly respectable.
Submitted by Frances Swan on 3 July, 2012 - 19:49.
I became editor of our Parish Magazine 6 months ago and as rarely received any feedback from articles or humorous pieces I bravely left myself wide open to criticism by inserting a questionnaire in the June edition asking what the readers liked/disliked or particularly wanted. I have been pleasantly surprised with the response as it is certainly encouraging and even had a request from a young person for more wordsearches. I shall publish the findings from the questionnaire and have already responded to the wordsearch request by putting one into the next magazine. Maybe editors should be brave and do the same if they feel their magazine circulation is low. Good luck!
Submitted by Mr R.Hole on 22 July, 2012 - 22:32.
If someone is complaining at least it shows they are reading your magazine in the fisrt place, round one to you. Round two, if they don't like the content, offer to let them take the job on (oh dear, I seem to have gone deaf all of a sudden, touché!)