Why do people who write editorials usually work separately from the rest of the newsroom?
The theory here is that we are in the opinion end of the business and the reporters are in the news end of the business. Their mission to is to report the news as objectively as possible, while ours to comment upon current events. There is an invisible wall between the two departments so that editorial opinion doesn’t drive news gathering. That doesn’t mean we never talk. We have to, but I try not to exert undue influence over news gathering. Do you have an opinion on everything? No. Sometimes the opinions I do have change if the information that comes my way changes my view. Opinions should live and to live is to change. How do you research topics you write about? I read a lot. I use the net. I use reference books. I talk to experts. How many editorials do you write a week? Three or so. Sometimes more depending on the need. Do you interact often with readers? Yes, by phone, by email and in person. I appear before groups. I like to schedule lunches with the people we write about. I spe
