Can Readers Comment on or Contribute to The Post Newspaper?
Updated
Yes. The Post Newspaper is built around community participation, and its site shows two clear reader-facing channels: comments on individual stories and guest-written columns. Article listings display comment counts (for example, "0 comments" under recent items), which indicates a comment function is attached to stories. The site also publishes "GUEST COLUMN" and "Guest Article" pieces alongside staff-bylined reporting, showing that outside contributors are part of the editorial mix. What the site does not spell out in the material available is the exact submission process — there is no visible "submit an article" form or posted contributor guidelines, so the practical route is to contact the editorial team through the publication's listed contact channels.
Commenting on stories
- Comment counts appear directly beneath article entries in the news feed, so comments are tied to individual stories rather than to a single site-wide forum.
- A count of "0 comments" on a fresh item means the thread is open but unused — you are not looking at a closed or disabled feature.
- Expect comment threads to be moderated. Community papers in this format typically review submissions before or after posting, and the site gives no indication of instant, unmoderated publishing.
What to check before you comment
- Open the full article, not just the feed listing — the comment box usually sits at the end of the story.
- Confirm the story is recent. Older archived items may have closed threads even when newer ones are open.
- If no comment field appears, the story may not have comments enabled; try a different recent article to confirm the feature is working.
Contributing as a writer
The strongest evidence that readers can contribute is the presence of guest content. Recent items include "GUEST COLUMN – THE CHINA PLATE" and a "Guest Article" entry, published next to staff work by named writers such as Ruth Ann Ruiz, the paper's Features Editor. That mix tells you the publication accepts outside voices, at least for opinion and community pieces.
What the site does not provide in the available material:
- No posted word counts, deadlines, or formatting requirements.
- No online submission form.
- No stated payment terms for contributors.
Because those details are absent, treat any submission as an inquiry first. A short pitch describing your topic, your connection to the community, and your proposed length is the safest opening move.
A practical submission approach
- Identify the right section. The paper runs News, Features, Events, Sports, Community, and Employment categories. Match your pitch to one of them rather than sending a general query.
- Lead with local relevance. Coverage centers on Galveston County and surrounding Texas communities — Hitchcock, Texas City, Friendswood, Dickinson, Houston. A pitch tied to one of those places fits the paper's existing pattern.
- Reference the format. Point to an existing guest column as a model for tone and length.
- Ask about the process. Since no guidelines are published, ask directly about length limits, editing, and whether the piece would run in print, online, or both.
What kind of participation fits this paper
| Channel | Evidence on site | Best suited for |
|---|---|---|
| Story comments | Comment counts under articles | Short reactions, local context, corrections |
| Guest columns | "GUEST COLUMN" and "Guest Article" items | Opinion, personal essays, community perspective |
| Staff-bylined news | Named reporters and editors | Reported news — not open to outside submission |
If your goal is a quick reaction, commenting is the lower-effort path and requires no pitch. If you want to write at length — a personal essay, a local-history piece, or an argument about a community issue — the guest column route matches what the paper already publishes.
Common snags
- No visible submission portal. Do not assume a form exists; the site's material shows none. Contact the editors instead.
- Comment counts are not comment guarantees. A "0 comments" label confirms the feature exists on that story, but moderation rules are unstated.
- Guest content is selective. The presence of guest columns shows the door is open, not that every submission runs. Local angle and fit with existing sections are the practical filters.
- Print versus online is unclear. The paper describes itself as a community paper with both a site and, by implication, a print edition. Ask which outlet your piece would appear in.