Editorial Writing

An editorial is a newspaper article having immediate relevance and pertaining to a current issue.

For instance, though, sharing of Cauvery water has always been a bone of contention with the two states, the issue becomes topical due to latest developments. Violence followed the September 2016 judgment pronounced by Supreme Court asking Karnataka to release water to Tamil Nadu as water crisis deepens in the two states. The Hindu acclaimed for its timely editorials immediately published an article on the Cauvery water dispute with the title ‘Sharing without Caring’ observing that the dispute was less about ‘water and irrigation and more about linguistic chauvinism and regional identity’(September14, 2016).Similarly, the editorial published by The Hindu ‘Sapping India’s Vitality’ lamented the failure of public health system in curbing vector-borne viral diseases. 

Editorials analyze and comment upon local, national and international news of significance. ‘Syrian Crisis’ rules the year and it will be a mere desperate prayer to wish the Middle east revolution would turn out to be unreal nightmare not a reality with future. Once again, September13, 2016 headline of The Hindu ‘They are the world…’ in a woeful parody of a hopeful song of yore draws attention to the grim picture of migrant children based on UNICEF reports underlining the shocking figure of more than 50 million displaced children.

A range of subjects from immigration norms, war and violence to constitutional reforms may be considered for editorial writing. Editorials like those by Philip P. Kerby of Los Angeles Times in 1976 have upheld freedom of expression and canvassed for the ‘right to know’ by questioning the need for ‘government secrecy’ and ‘judicial censorship’. Despite, adverse political pressure, editorials have been conscience-keepers of those in power.

In an interesting editorial discussing Indian judicial system under the heading ‘From dissent to disapproval,’ the newspaper, The Hindu maintains that history ‘shows that principled dissent often leads to reform’. It expresses adulation for Justice J. Chelameswar who ‘has acted on his famous dissent. After disagreeing with the majority on a Constitution Bench that struck down the law enacted to establish a National Judicial Appointments Commission, the judge, who is part of the five-member Supreme Court collegium, has opted to keep out of its proceedings’(September5, 2016).

It is important to refer to Pulitzer Prize that is given in honour of excellence in journalism since 1917. Editorials that are remarkable in spirit and word are awarded. The parameters suggest the importance of hinging strong writing skills on rationality and morality to lead public opinion; awards go to‘ distinguished editorial writing, the test of excellence being clearness of style, moral purpose, sound reasoning, and power to influence public opinion in what the writer conceives to be the right direction, using any available journalistic tool’.According to Wikipedia, an ‘editorial, leading article (US) or leader (UK), is an opinion piece written by the senior editorial staff or publisher of a newspaper, magazine, or any other written document. Editorials may be supposed to reflect the opinion of the periodical ’.

The editorial articulates the viewpoint or the official position held by a newspaper regarding an issue of public importance. It is not an individual expert’s view point on an issue but the position taken on local, national or international matters by the publication. The attitude when publishing an editorial is not of ‘disclaimer’ but of acceptance, acknowledgement and responsibility. Editorials are required to be lucid, analytical, well crafted, provocative and persuasive.

These are rich in information, deeply researched (2005) and deal with issues comprehensively. They often address ‘complex state issues’ (2004), explore ‘dilemmas’ (2002) .The tone may vary from forceful or dispassionate to ‘down-to-earth’ to ‘admonishing’ (2009) or ‘incisive ‘(2004)when criticism is justified but also ‘compassionate and compelling’ (2007) where public opinion needs to be guided.

These excel at analysis and can assess consequences of current developments and gauge their future impact. Well-researched editorials can help fix responsibilities and resolve crisis- they have the power to enlighten people and create greater awareness as information reaches the public in a credible and comprehensive manner.

However, editorials appeal not out of prejudice but equipoise. For instance, David Moats of Rutland (VT) Herald won recognition for his ‘even-handed and influential series of editorials’ commenting on a certain controversial and divisive issue(2001).They can even mitigate disaster or civil crisis and have the effect of healing as editorials by John Strohmeyer of Bethlehem (PA) Globe-Times that aimed at ‘reducing racial tensions in Bethlehem’ in 1972.

Editorials have the power to run campaigns. Noteworthy are the editorials by John C. Bersia of The Orlando Sentinel in 2000 that campaigned against ‘predatory lending practices in the state, which prompted changes in local lending regulations’. Editorials were found effective in campaigns that ranged from rescuing heritage buildings (1999) to helping government restructure the education system. They may prompt reforms and empower the powerless as the editorials dealing with social welfare systems centred on children and women. While governments and corporate are interested in ‘development’; editorials may draw attention to the contemporary threat from ‘overdevelopment’.

They may demonstrate the grit to go against- the- grain or satirize establishment even when the majority view is different. Joseph Rago of The Wall Street Journal was commended for his well-written editorials that questioned health reforms advocated by the US president Obama.

They may be ‘relentless’ and unsparing in condemnation of social disparities and expose the real issues with a missionary zeal. Sensitive editorials may help sustain sympathy for a long-standing but neglected cause or even be capable of evoking empathy when issues become hackneyed. Editorials are praised for bringing fresh perspectives on much-lamented issues. Cornelia Grumman of Chicago Tribune won the 2003 Pulitzer for ‘her powerful, freshly challenging editorials on reform of the death penalty’.

A well-written editorial is distinguished for ‘engaging readers and driving home the link between necessary solutions and their impact on everyday lives’ (Pulitzer Prize, 2014).They must be able to explain urgent but complex issues in simple terms. Great editorials have the power to run campaigns and cause governments to reconsider their decisions and revise their policies as 2013 award-winning editorial by Tim Nickens and Daniel Ruth of Tampa Bay Times did. Some editorials have been acknowledged to have stirred the governments into action as 2005 editorial that made government take stalk of a flooded valley in California. The writers were praised for their ‘diligent campaign that helped reverse a decision to end fluoridation of the water supply for the 700,000 residents of the newspaper's home county’.

As stated, the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for editorial writing was won by John Hackworth and Brian Gleason of Sun Newspapers, Charlotte Harbor ‘For fierce, indignant editorials that demanded truth and change after the deadly assault of an inmate by corrections officers’. The list of editorials includes topics dealing with ‘income inequality’ (2015); ‘rising pension costs’ (2014); to those dealing with inability of governments to curb child abuse.

References:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Editorial

http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/from-dissent-to-disapproval/article9072595.ece

http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/editorial-on-cauvery-issue-and-the-dispute/article9104515.ece

http://www.pulitzer.org/prize-winners-by-category/214

Note: Above is an original essay written for use by YMCA students.