Another week of opinion

Each day, people form opinions on what matters, from local to national issues. Such thoughts often reach the editorial pages of newspapers, including those of The Chronicle.

The elements of the two editorial pages, which fall at the end of each edition, are fairly standard. On the right page, we run columns, in which the writer expresses his take on a particular topic. On the left, we typically run letters to the editor and the staff editorial, which generally takes a stand on one issue.

Unlike the other pieces, the staff editorial is unsigned and represents the majority opinion of the Editorial Board, which includes all Chronicle editors who choose to participate. As the voice of the largest information provider on campus, the Editorial Board tries to provide a thorough examination of and emanate a reasoned opinion on current events. Through that process, The Chronicle hopes to foster discussion about matters that impact the Duke community.

The board typically holds two meetings each week, at which the editorial page editor--this year, me--presents information on several topics. The board then makes a collective decision to editorialize on what it feels is important, timely and appropriate.

Throughout the ensuing discussion, the editorial page editor records the debate. At the end, he reads back the points raised, and the board votes. Afterward, the board selects a writer to articulate the sentiments of the majority. That writer is never someone who has covered the issue that spawned the debate, ensuring that reporters remain objective and do not cross the line between opinion and news.

At The Chronicle, we take that line very seriously and make every effort to separate out opinions from news coverage, something evidenced by the structure of the organization itself. The news departments--University, City & State, Features, Health & Science, Sports and Wire--make their own decisions as to what they will cover. At the other end of the office, both physically and figuratively, the Editorial Page Department handles opinion. Neither side is in a position to dictate content to the other, except in the case that news departments produce the reports which the Editorial Board considers.

In addition to the staff editorial, the edit pages feature a variety of other elements. For instance, letters to the editor, which appear to the right of the staff editorial, are short pieces in which students, faculty members, employees, Durham residents and other Chronicle readers express their short take on a particular topic. Letters provide a forum for a wider audience to contribute and respond to the paper's content, especially on the opinion pages.

We try to accommodate as many people's opinions as we can. As such, we must limit the word count to 325. Furthermore, we do not reprint form letters that are strictly promotional in nature.