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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Amish Cook: Trip to replace broken stove allows for family visit
We were glad for the warmer weather last week. Our house didn’t have heat from Wednesday until Saturday morning because the glass on our Hitzer coal stove broke.
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Susan Miller: Minds made better thanks to lists
Not all lists are created equal. Indeed, there is an art and a science to list crafting.
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Primus Mootry: Challenge for black leaders in 21st century? Lessons of past
The black experience in America can roughly be divided into five main periods including the slave trade and slavery itself; emancipation (or the end of slavery) and Reconstruction; the Jim Crow era; the Great Migration; and the civil rights era.
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Jim Bailey: Kids play basketball, but some adults prefer basketbrawl
We’ve heard all too much about the failings of today’s youth. Methinks the blame in most cases is misplaced. Like father like son? Perhaps, which reinforces my point.
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Jesse Wilkerson: What example should we follow?
In our lifetime we have witnessed real life success stories. We have also seen real life failures. We have witnessed men and women who have achieved success in one area, but failed miserably in others.
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Emmett Dulaney: The tragedy of the insurance commons
In basic economics, students often hear of the concept of “the tragedy of the commons.” In overly simplistic terms, this is a situation in which many individuals share a limited resource.
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John Rosemond: Taxpayers are catching on to education fads
The media recently reported “new” research findings to the effect that rewards often backfire and self-esteem is not the wonderful, uplifting personal attribute once thought.
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Scott Underwood: Introducing THB reporters
We at The Herald Bulletin last week were pleased to add a veteran reporter to our newsroom staff. Stu Hirsch, formerly of The Indianapolis Star, joined our team midweek and his byline was already appearing by Friday.
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Maleah Stringer: Lyla and Cuddles find happy homes
Every animal who comes to the Animal Protection League matters and deserves compassionate and humane treatment. They deserve our effort.
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Theresa Timmons: An opinion on couponers
I try to avoid opinions, mainly because I am the only female in my house and I am not really allowed to have them.
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