COLUMNS, EDITORIALS ARE DIFFERENT ANIMALS

A reader called the other day upset about an opinion expressed by one of
our staff columnists. "If that's the way the Journal feels about it, then
I'm not sure I want to subscribe anymore," the caller said.

I explained that personal columns are just that - personal. They are the
views of the writer. Only the opinions in the unsigned editorial (like the
one to the left on this page) represent the newspaper's official position.

I'm not sure that satisfied the caller, but at least he had a better
understanding of those distinctions. And it got me to thinking, once again,
that newspapers don't do a very good job of explaining how we work and
what's what.

What's the purpose of personal columns of opinion? It varies from columnist
to columnist.

Some attempt to persuade, some to shed light on an event, some to inform
from a particular perspective. Others hope to connect with readers in some
way through sharing observations on life. Others simply want to entertain.

Ultimately we hope the common denominator is that they move the minds or
hearts of readers to thought, feeling or some combination of the two.
Notice that I didn't say agreement, though that's always welcomed by
columnists.

We have several columns written by staffers, such as this one, that run at
least once a week. Others run less frequently. They're in easily
recognizable form, always with the writer's picture, whether on the
editorial page, the local section under a "Local Lines" heading, or in
sports, features, business or religion.

In addition to stimulating thinking and eliciting emotion, we hope our
columns also help "personalize" the newspaper by letting you get to know
our staffers better.

Newspaper industry surveys and our own here at the Daily Journal over the
years indicate that readers, though they may complain about particular
writers, enjoy reading personal columns. They're among the best read items
in the newspaper, and many readers enjoy even columnists they disagree with
or, in some cases, love to hate.

Besides our staff writers, we publish many state and national columnists.
Some are regulars on the editorial page, others in our feature sections.
Not all the editorial page columnists have a photo with their pieces if
they're only one-time or occasional contributors.

We strive for a diversity of opinion, both among our staff columnists and
the ones we buy from other sources. No one tells a columnist what to write,
as long as it's not libelous or in particularly bad taste.

Readers sometimes ask why a staffer is "allowed" to express an opinion in a
column that differs from the Journal's official stance, or why we would run
a national columnist who expresses contrary opinions. My answer is always
that a newspaper has a responsibility to offer a variety of viewpoints,
including - and perhaps especially - those contrary to its own.

Which brings us to the Daily Journal editorials - those "anonymous" pieces
on the left side of the page each day. They're not signed because they
don't represent an individual opinion; they're institutional in nature.
Responsibility for those opinions lies primarily with the editor and
editorial page editor, working in consultation with the publisher, with
other editors contributing to the process.

Just as individual writers don't necessarily reflect the Daily Journal's
editorial opinions in their personal columns, it can surely be said that
the Journal's official opinions aren't always shared by every staff member.

The Journal's editorials aren't meant to tell people what to think, but
simply to get people to thinking - about our community and state primarily,
but about the wider world as well. We don't claim a monopoly on truth or
correct opinion. But we do believe it's important for constructive
discussion and debate to be ongoing.

We welcome engaged readers who want to challenge opinions in the Daily
Journal, whether editorials or personal columns. Call us when you don't
like an editorial. Write or email us a letter for publication. Tell a
columnist directly why you disagree.

We may not satisfy you, but I promise you'll be heard.

Lloyd Gray is editor of the Daily Journal. E-mail him at
lloyd.gray@djournal.com