Definition of Open Letter

A letter is a document that one individual addresses to another for the purpose of communicating something to him. This form of communication Written can also be done between an individual and an entity or between two entities. In any case, the letter that is sent is private, in the sense that the sender makes its content known to a specific recipient.

In the case of the open letter, the sender can address one person but the intention is for it to be read by as many people as possible. For this reason, the concept of an open letter has a broader communication context, since it is normally addressed to the whole of society.

The usual medium that is used to publish an open letter is the written press. In fact, in most newspapers there is a section for this purpose, letters to the editor or the editor.

The meaning of the open letter

If someone decides to send an open letter to an editor, it is because he wants to publicize a situation that he considers to be of interest to society as a whole. What

rule In general, its content addresses a current topic or that connects with the opinion on a matter by a sector of the population.

One of the important aspects is the identification of the sender, since it may be relevant to know the name of the author and, on the other hand, a Newspaper would not admit the publication of an anonymous letter.

From a journalistic point of view, the open letter is a way of allowing the citizen anonymously have access to traditional media. With the emergence of new technologies, the open letter conventional has partially lost its reason for being, since anyone can give their opinion in forum, in a tweet or on Facebook without having to resort to the written press.

Types of open letter

As for the possible approaches, there are many variants:

- Go to a specific person to express them solidarity or to communicate any criticism.

- Report an unfair situation that affects a significant number of individuals.

- Carry out a reflection on a controversial topic defending a certain position.

- Present some ideas together. In this case, the signatories of the letter may be very numerous.

- Tell a personal situation or even a anecdote but that its content communicates a certain social interest.

Open Letter Topics