100 Years Ago: The People's Forum

Photograph of Hugh Buchanan, managing editor of the Lethbridge Herald, at a typewriter on January 16, 1953.

Photo courtesy Galt Museum & Archives, 19752910396

The Roast and Toast section of the Lethbridge Herald has a surprisingly long history. One hundred years ago, this column was known as "People's Forum." Like the contemporary version, this section featured letters from residents who expressed opinions on the pressing issues of the day. The format was similar, with one notable difference: the writers had to provide their real name and street address.

Privacy of personal information was not a crucial issue for many people during the 1920s. The names of all city residents had been routinely published in city directories since 1909, complete with home address, name of spouse, place of work, employment position, and homeownership status. These directories are currently available for public perusal and research in the Galt's archives.

In 1920, the Herald published a letter that had been submitted under a false identity. The editorial board of the Herald wrote a strongly worded condemnation when they discovered the misattribution to underscore the crucial role of true identification in the People's Forum section. The editorial board wrote that the idea behind the requirement "is to establish the responsibility of the correspondent, with the view held that no person who wish[es] to express their opinions publicly would be ashamed to identify these opinions with themselves."

The editorial board added that the individual who hides behind an assumed name is "the meanest of cowards" and that they betray the public trust. "…If his opinions are honest, he should be man enough to stand by them and not be afraid for all the world to see that he is willing to uphold all he believes," concluded the Herald.

The rise of social media, with unattributed profiles posting in a global "Public's Forum," has immersed public discourse in a whirlpool of unverified and explosive information. The principles of attribution and transparency are increasingly important social policy discussions. The integrity of civil dialogue, responsible citizenship, and sense of community were crucial values in local news a century ago, and worthy of consideration anew.

Check out the photos from the Lethbridge Herald in the Galt’s archives at collections.galtmuseum.com.