Back to answering some questions a friendly reader posed recently...
Who is the Our in Our Views anyway?
Our Views, of course, is the daily Monroe Times editorial that appears at the top of the Views page A4 of the newspaper on Mondays through Fridays.
As explained each day in the print version, editorials represent the majority view of the Monroe Times editorial board. The Times editorial board, which also is listed daily in the newspaper, includes General Manager Carl Hearing, Editor Jeff Rogers (me) and News Editor Jim Winter. Sometimes the editorial represents a view shared by all three members of the editorial board, sometimes only by two of the three. As the newspapers general manager, Carl reserves the right to overrule Jim and me, but that happens extremely rarely.
Sometimes our discussions on issues are structured and an official vote is taken. Mostly, the discussion is informal. Its a small office, after all.
Usually, the editorial is written by me or by Jim, and edited and approved by the others on the board. Because the editorial represents the opinion of the editorial board, and thus is the official stance taken by the newspaper on that particular issue, it is not signed by one person. Most newspapers publish editorials without a byline, though a few do. Most of the times, the angry calls (and on rare occasions congratulatory ones) about editorials will come to me or to Carl. So, believe me, were accountable.
Were also willing to discuss our editorials with readers who disagree with our view. We welcome it, actually. The only thing that we ask is that you keep it civil. We dont swear in our editorials, so dont do it on the phone.
I say that with a smile, of course.
Who is the Our in Our Views anyway?
Our Views, of course, is the daily Monroe Times editorial that appears at the top of the Views page A4 of the newspaper on Mondays through Fridays.
As explained each day in the print version, editorials represent the majority view of the Monroe Times editorial board. The Times editorial board, which also is listed daily in the newspaper, includes General Manager Carl Hearing, Editor Jeff Rogers (me) and News Editor Jim Winter. Sometimes the editorial represents a view shared by all three members of the editorial board, sometimes only by two of the three. As the newspapers general manager, Carl reserves the right to overrule Jim and me, but that happens extremely rarely.
Sometimes our discussions on issues are structured and an official vote is taken. Mostly, the discussion is informal. Its a small office, after all.
Usually, the editorial is written by me or by Jim, and edited and approved by the others on the board. Because the editorial represents the opinion of the editorial board, and thus is the official stance taken by the newspaper on that particular issue, it is not signed by one person. Most newspapers publish editorials without a byline, though a few do. Most of the times, the angry calls (and on rare occasions congratulatory ones) about editorials will come to me or to Carl. So, believe me, were accountable.
Were also willing to discuss our editorials with readers who disagree with our view. We welcome it, actually. The only thing that we ask is that you keep it civil. We dont swear in our editorials, so dont do it on the phone.
I say that with a smile, of course.
