We believe in positive civil discourse at The Byway. This means that we facilitate all kinds of conversations through a paper, social media page, email and website. We encourage such conversations, provided the participants have a truthful, productive, positive, well-researched argument.
Definitions of Civil Discourse
We make a lot of arguments in the paper and online. So, what constitutes a civil argument, also known as civil discourse?
There are several definitions of what civil discourse means in a variety of contexts. American University defines it by five things: it is “truthful, productive, audience-based, about listening and talking, and each speaker’s own responsibility.”
But our favorite definitions are not so much definitions as quotes. The Institute for Civility in Government emphasized, “disagreeing without disrespect, seeking common ground as a starting point … , listening past one’s preconceptions, and teaching others to do the same.”
Bob Stein echoed ideas from John Locke when he said, “If you want to understand something complicated it’s helpful to look at the back and forth of competing voices or views.”
Civil discourse has to do with knowing all the sides of an issue that matters to you — by listening to the other side — and choosing to stand for the one you believe in.
Civil Discourse Today
In an internet age, it is important that each of us learn how to communicate civilly on issues that matter to us. This has always been important throughout American history, from the constitutional convention to the civil rights movement. But civil discourse is growing especially important to revisit now, as each of us has the whole world at our fingertips.
Issues that were once confined to a small area are now going viral on social media for the world to see. Loud voices in internet comments compete for attention over little issues without all the facts.
In other words, civil discourse is becoming increasingly uncivil. But there are a few good people out there who still know how to have a civil conversation.
Our Responsibility as a Local Newspaper
Our responsibility at The Byway is to facilitate that kind of conversation. As the world changes, so does our job. This is one reason The Byway has moved to more online content: to better facilitate the voices in today’s world.
We do our utmost to make sure that the articles we publish are civil. We welcome disagreement. In fact competing voices can be very good for democracy. But those competing voices must meet the Byway’s standards for positive civil discourse.
Articles in The Byway must be:
- Truthful.
- Productive.
- Positive.
- Well-researched.
In writing, receiving and publishing these articles, we also facilitate freedom of speech in our community, and the responsibility and right of citizens to “look at the back and forth of competing voices” and then choose what it is they believe in. This is our mission.
– The Byway
Feature image caption: At The Byway, we believe in positive civil discourse. We want you to be able to see the back and forth of other opinions as well as share your own … because that is part of democracy.
Read more about how one might incorporate civil discourse into daily life in A Great Example of Civility by Abbie Call.