Last Updated: May 20, 1999
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Editorials with fangs
I think freedom is the key to editorials that say something — and empowering
yourself and editorial writers to have it and use it.
I don’t really mean freedom from the kinds of guidelines that publishers
or executive editors (especially the ones with whims of iron) may lay down
for editorials in terms of political stance or sacred cows.
In a broad sense, it’s more that many editorial page editors and their
bosses have to free themselves from the sense that it’s responsible and
valuable to be cautious in using the newspaper’s influence on local matters.
That has grown up because most dailies now are monopolies. But where there’s
too much balance, readers find mush — and a reason to turn the page.
And while I think most editorial pages are wise to focus more on topics
closer to home these days, we still should feel free — even duty-bound
— to step up to the plate when events far away are on people’s minds. Especially
if it’s about a situation or crisis that seems important but confusing.
But whether near or far, the obvious key is deciding on something clear
and useful to say, then trying to do that with some sort of flair that
elides the obnoxious fact that we’re in the business of trying to tell
other people what to think and do.
Thompson is editorial page editor of the Philadelphia Daily News.
