As part of our coverage of Sunshine Week last month, I posed the following question to the nearly 100 members of our Reader Advisory Network about The Telegraph's commitment to watchdog journalism:

"How important is it to you for your local newspaper to serve as a champion of this kind of public service journalism? If so, why? If not, why not?"

Here is a sampling of what some of them had to say:

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"I can't imagine what government would be doing to us under the banner of what they are doing for us if the media were not serving as the watchdog."

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"It is of absolutely paramount importance to me that you continue your vigorous pursuit of 'watchdog journalism.' Your support of Sunshine Week was wonderful, the articles very informative. After all, the only way watchdog journalism can perform its function is if public records and documents remain public."

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"Whenever there is exposure to an issue there is awareness. The matter in which this is reported is what drives the impression/interpretation of the issue. As long as it is reported in complete neutrality -- as news should be reported to begin with -- I believe the local newspaper not only serves as a champion but should have the role as a 'civic duty' to inform the local community. This is the true public service journalism."

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"I can think of nothing more important than the Telegraph letting us know about the daily actions of our local government. If not you -- who else would do it? And how would the citizens of Nashua ever get any facts pertaining to items that are critical to our present and future lives? I wholeheartedly support your efforts -- although we do disagree at times ... but I find this occasional disagreement thought provoking."

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"On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being 'not important and all' and 10 being 'of the utmost importance,' I put myself in the 10 category, without hesitation. I think the most important goal for a local newspaper is to serve as watchdog on local and state government."

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"In my opinion, when a local newspaper like The Telegraph gets involved in 'watchdog journalism' and investigative reporting on a local level, it provides a tremendously important service to the community."

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Of course, not everyone was complimentary. One reader took us to task for publishing the Associated Press' "disingenuous reporting," though it was unclear what prompted that assessment.

And then there was this: an anonymous handwritten note signed by "A Former Marine and a Current Patriot" that arrived in the mail attached to a Sunshine Week story by the Associated Press with the headline:

"Poll: Americans believe federal government is 'sneaky' / Some worry leaders are listening in on phone calls, reading private mail without court orders"

Under the headline, in red ink, was written: "If you have nothing to hide ... SO WHAT."

The actual letter, which was addressed to me personally, read as follows:

"Front Page -- calling your government 'sneaky' -- blaming American citizens when it's (using a Marine Corps term) 'Knuckle Heads' like you and the Telegraph staff, following 'lock-step' after the Editors, Liberal Editors, that are, as Rush calls you -- "Drive By" Reporters, Editors and writers -- DESTROY BUSH!!!

"I'm certain that yesterday the NY Times, LA Times, Atlanta Urinal  (or whatever) used 'Sneaky' -- same as the Telegraph's Headline!

"What's the matter with you haters, you'll sink to anything to drive the knife further into the greatest president since Regan (sic).

"There are terrorists out there that want to kill as many Americans as possible -- using 'Sneaky,' to me, is aiding and abetting the enemy just short of treason!!

"Does hate justify your reasoning?"

For the record, the story was based on a poll commissioned by the American Society of Newspaper Editors that found Americans "increasingly suspect the federal government has become cloaked in secrecy."

In closing, I would like to thank those members of our Reader Advisory Network who took the time to respond to my query. If you would like to join or learn more about our e-mail network, read my "Wanted: Reader Advisory Network Members" blog posting of Jan. 26.