Objective news reporting is the hallmark of newspaper journalism. The best newspapers offer unbiased accounts of important and interesting happenings at home and all across the world.
It’s not unusual to hear people cynically refer to “believing everything” they read in the newspaper. Of course, everyone knows that it’s not all true. Newspaper reporting, even when the writer strives meticulously to be unbiased, contains just sources’ versions of the truth.
Journalists try to find the best sources they can, but the information these sources provide is shaped by their own agendas, their own beliefs, their own values. To make sure the reporting is balanced, journalists try to get arguments from the various sides of the issue. Readers are left, then, to judge for themselves whose points are more valid, whose arguments more sound. And, of course, readers all have their own mental filter for information. According to their values and experiences, they will interpret news articles as they see fit.
In many ways, the most honest reports in newspapers actually come in the most subjective format — opinion columns. In these, the writer doesn’t rely so heavily on sources and isn’t fettered by the tethers of objectivity. Columnists, therefore, are honest with the reader: the essay is the writer’s viewpoint. The opinion columnist doesn’t pretend to be unbiased, though the best columnists do acknowledge the other side of the argument.
Some of our columnists tackle issues of local, state, national and international importance. Public policy is the grist of such columns. Other columnists focus on informing, entertaining or advising. We recently added two such columnists to the pages of The Herald Bulletin.
A column written by Susan Miller, a local marketing and public relations veteran, is published Thursdays on the Business page. Susan pitched her column idea a few months ago. By drafting several column examples as well as a lengthy list of ideas, she convinced us of her writing prowess, expertise in marketing and ability to sustain a weekly column. This last skill is perhaps the most difficult to master, as any weekly columnist can attest. (I spent three hours Saturday morning procrastinating — even resorting to watching professional wrestling with my 8-year-old son — instead of sitting down to write this column. And I hate professional wrestling!)
While Susan’s column is designed, specifically, to appeal to small business owners and managers — a narrow group of readers — our other new columnist, Verna Davis, writes for a broader audience. Verna’s Saturday column relates real-life experiences with a dash of humor and applies Scripture to them. She began writing for us after moving to Frankton from the Terre Haute area.
With the additions of Susan and Verna, we have 19 local columnists whose work is sprinkled liberally across the pages of The Herald Bulletin, some weekly, some biweekly and some monthly.
Even if you don’t agree with them, we hope you find their opinions interesting, insightful — and honest.
Editor Scott Underwood’s column appears Mondays. Contact him at scott.underwood@heraldbulletin.com or 640-4845.
Columns
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John P. Cleary
Discussion
Scott Underwood: Where the truth lies in newspapers
- Columns
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Verna Davis: Church and state — separation or silence?
It’s time we realize, as Charles J. Chaput says, that “exiling religion from civic debates separates government from morality...That road leads to politics without character.” It’s time we realize that it’s time to speak up. The future of our country depends on our doing just that.
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Heather Bremer: Can Smith cash in on another Big Willie Weekend?
After yet another four-year break, Will Smith once again ventures into waters of the summertime box office with today’s debut of “Men in Black III.” Luckily for Big Willie, it’s the first weekend in ages that won’t be ruled by “The Avengers” … probably.
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Susan Miller: Looking for a summer vacation vocation
Summer vacation is often a synonym for summer vocation, particularly for teenagers.
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Jim Bailey: Amazing races keep things lively for family in May
Used to be when you spoke of a race in May, the Indianapolis 500 came to mind. For our family this year that will be an afterthought.
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Primus Mootry: The Great Divide continues in the U.S.
Last Saturday, at a South Carolina GOP fundraiser attended by a thousand people, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., labeled President Barack Obama as the most “divisive figure in modern American history.” Sen. Rubio is certainly entitled to that opinion, but that’s all it is — an opinion.
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Emmett Dulaney: Today’s actions hurt tomorrow
I have no recollection of why, but for some reason when we were kids my brother could not stand Catfish Hunter.
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Bill Stanczykiewicz: Managing disagreements can be teens' gifts for Mom and Dad
New research suggests that teenagers who are allowed to disagree with their parents are more likely to resist negative peer pressure and avoid dangerous behaviors such as drug and alcohol use.
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Scott Underwood: Good news plays role in journalism
The refrain from readers is almost constant in the careers of serious community journalists: You guys print too much bad news and ignore the good news.
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Charo Boyd: Social Security serves wounded warriors, families
It’s an American tradition to pay tribute to the men and women of the Armed Forces each Memorial Day — especially honoring those who have made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our country.
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Maureen Hayden: Readers say it best in response to column about primary
In a recent column, I posed a question about why only 19 percent of Indiana’s 4 million voters cast a ballot in the May primary. I promised not to chastise anyone who would ’fess up to not voting.
I’ll keep part of the promise: I won’t do the scolding, but will let someone else heap on a bit of shame. - More Columns Headlines
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