Dear Sir,

I am a faithful reader of all things “news” in Bermuda. I am also a faithful and longtime reader of The Royal Gazette and it’s pretty clear to me — as I’m sure it is to you — that print media is fighting a massive uphill battle to stay relevant.

The younger generation just doesn’t read the newspaper like we do and the challenge to move to online news is very real.

The Royal Gazette has one big advantage: you actually have people digging out the news.

In Bermuda today, two things are very evident to me. Everybody has an opinion and not very many of us actually listen.

As long as we can vent, we seem to be happy. There is very little dialogue or discussion or challenge — just one-time, opinionated uttering, take it or leave it. And, to top it all off, most of those opinions come with a political or racial tone or objective.

The Pati people tried this the other day and my suggestion is that a moderated, online discussion would be a very useful tool in Bermuda. Especially, if the opinionists were available — and I include members of the public, but also the John Barritts, Al Seymours, Christopher Famouses of the world.

I’m not saying that they are any better than anyone else, but today their writings are looked at as a sort of “gospel truth” and are never challenged or discussed.

I am not talking about a talk show-style operation; I mean a respected person who will moderate and engage with the people involved.

I think the RG could really offer Bermuda a reason to go online ... and get engaged.

Sincerely,

A READER