Talkin' TR: A new structure for TR's opinion page
One page of this newspaper produces the lion’s share of reader complaints and concerns we receive about content.
You’re reading it right now.
The opinion page, according to research, also produces the least readership and most subscription cancellations from those who view its content as too liberal or conservative. Yes, we get complaints from all corners.
So, we’re announcing a series of changes to our opinion page designed to increase our focus on local issues consistent with our transformation to more local and Ohio news coverage across the newspaper.
Beginning this week, opinion content will only appear in print once a week and we’re refocusing the content away from more divisive nationally syndicated writers. Opinion content will appear online more frequently.
It’s clear many readers today don’t understand the role of opinion content in a local newspaper. They view our sharing of strong commentary as an endorsement of the writer’s point of view instead of an opportunity to obtain a different thought-provoking perspective. Opinion content too often tarnishes our factual news reporting on other pages and erodes our credibility.
In these divisive times, it’s also become increasingly difficult to find syndicated material we’re comfortable with or that does not require extensive fact checking.
We believe less will be better.
We will be working to expand our roster of local columnists who can share regular or periodic insights on key issues. We'll continue with our Local Perspective pieces we run from local educators. We’ll be working with our network newspapers across Ohio to share thoughtful views on statewide topics. And we’ll still feature some national columnists with commentary on the issues of the day.
The print opinion page will appear on Sunday.
Local letters to the editor will continue, although fact checking of some letters has also become problematic. (We ask letter writers to stick to their opinions on established facts and avoid attacking or dehumanizing others to earn publication.)
Our goal for editorials is to share a call to action on substantive local issues and to provide a measure of accountability in the Tuscarawas Valley.
We plan to continue local editorials but will only publish them when we believe our viewpoints are helpful or likely to further public debates. There may be some weeks with multiple editorials and others with none.
While debates on nearly everything rage on social media every day, we’re taking steps to make sure the print edition and TimesReporter.com remain the leader for important conversations on the issues shaping our collective future.
Facts matter even when opinions are being shared.
If you're interested in sharing opinion content with our readers, please email us at Opinions@TimesReporter.com.
Hank Keathley is the managing editor of The Times-Reporter and TimesReporter.com. He can be reached at hank.keathley@TimesReporter.com
This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Talkin' TR: A new structure for TR's opinion page
