Articles, Columns, and Editorials – Oh My!

We, the staff at the newspaper business, sometimes catch a lot of “slack” from our readers for various things. Either we printed a story/letter/column they didn’t like, put their name in the paper for something they did, didn’t print a story they thought we should have known about, or didn’t write the story quite the way they thought we should have. That’s okay though, it all goes with the territory.

However, this column is dedicated to explaining the difference between “article,” “column” and “editorial.” These three words often seem interchangeable, but in fact have three totally different meanings. Many times, someone has taken offense at an editorial opinion and complained to others, and to us, about our “biased articles” or “unfair reporting.” We have also been criticized for letters to the editor, which aren’t our opinions at all, but those of the letter’s writer.

So, for better clarification……

Articles are mainly written by our newspaper staff but are also sometimes submitted stories. Articles can be hard news, soft news, entertainment, features, in-depth articles, or just informative articles. Above all, we try to make sure the facts are accurate and fair. Perfection, we know, is unachievable, but it is our goal; we try to be perfect in our pursuit of accuracy. I can assure you, we do NOT maliciously manipulate facts to make a point, nor do we seek to prevent anyone’s voice from being heard. When we make an error, we do our best to reprint the article, or make a correction notice.

Columns are the work of a single writer, usually a staff member, but it can be someone from the community that the staff has asked to write a column; thus, becoming a “guest columnist.” Columns can be humorous, serious, opinionated, informative….pretty much whatever the columnist wants them to be. Columns always include the columnists’ name, photo, and title of who they are. A column is a writer’s individual work. It is not necessarily the viewpoint of the newspaper, in which it is published. It is the viewpoint of the writer … readers need to understand that, before reading the column.

Editorials are also placed on our “Viewpoints & Opinions” page. No credit/byline is given, in an editorial, because it is meant to speak for the newspaper’s editorial board. An editorial is generally viewed as the opinion of that newspaper. Readers will know it is an “Editorial” because it will say “Editorial” above it! Editorials are not written as much, in today’s time, as they were many years ago. However, they are still functional and used from time to time.
A newspaper’s Editorial/Viewpoints/Opinion pages are different than any other page in the newspaper. These are the pages where you find opinions of others (staff members and readers alike), debated issues, and also informative ideas/columns. These are also the pages where we print the “Letters to the Editor.” Again, the letters to the editor are not the viewpoints of this newspaper, but are the writer’s opinion. On these same pages, you can sometimes also find cartoons, games/crossword puzzles, thoughts of the week, old photos from the past, “Crazy Crooks” stories and other “fun” things.

The Editorial/Viewpoints/Opinion page is where the First Amendment lives and breathes. In many countries, it is forbidden to speak unkindly about the government; city, local, state, or national; or any other issue at hand. In America, we have the freedom to speak out, without fear, and debate these issues. We, the staff, have the source to do this through columns and editorials. You, the reader, have the source to do this through letters to the editor. We welcome your opinions and viewpoints on life. That is what free press is all about – saying what we want without fear of the government.

We thank you, our readers and patrons, for your support and friendship. We welcome your letters, your thoughts, and your opinions. But, please try not to falsify our motives because you don’t understand the purpose of the piece.