The editorial page is one place in the newspaper where opinion is not only permissible, but encouraged. The editorial page is dominated by comment and analysis rather than objective reporting of factual information. It is here that the opinions of the newspapers editorial board are put forth in editorials and that readers can put forth their opinions in letters to the editor.
Opinions of newspaper staff members and outside correspondents appear in bylined columns, usually located on the facing page, called the "Op-Ed" page. The Op-Ed page also contains analysis and background pieces. At some newspapers the editorial and Op-Ed page may be combined.
A typical editorial page consists of the following items:
Editorials: although written by individuals, unsigned editorials reflect the corporate opinion of the newspaper's editorial board. The viewpoint expressed is usually the result of consensus among the editorial board members.
Some newspapers divide this material between an editorial page and the Op-Ed page.
Purposes of the Editorial Page
The editorial page provides a forum for the opinions of readers and editorial staff in order to:
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provoke thought and discussion
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influence the actions of public officials
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campaign for reform and specific proposals
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provide background and analyze events
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serve as a community voice
Letters to the Editor
The letters section is the readers' forum. It gives readers space to react to domestic and foreign news, criticize or praise editorials and columns, question the judgment of editors, and offer personal comments on the human condition.
Reprinted, with permission, from News is Not Just Black and White, a workbook produced by the Canadian Newspaper Association.
