Loved all the editorials on editorials. Those have been some of my favorite writers in the Des Moines Register/Tribune. I believe the editorial page is the heartbeat of any paper. If you have a strong editorial page, it follows that the paper will be strong. I think the lack of strong papers has contributed to the political irresponsibility and lack of accountability that is so prevalent. Social media is no substitute for newspapers. In fact, it really adds to lack of accountability with hit and run writing.
Such a discouraging decision. If there is really a belief that readers cannot distinguish between editorials and opinion, can they not be told?
And particularly discouraging that letters to the editor will not be published online. That effectively silences the voices of those who want to contribute to a wider audience in a way other than social media.
Opinion writers have access to public discourse and policy that others don’t. And their opinions matter.
Some years back colleagues and I did a tour of editorial boards to explain the harmful consequences of a sex offender law. It was a little in the weeds to understand the damage and most people cannot imagine changing a law in a way that would appear to advantage sex offenders. The boards listened carefully, understood the points, all came out in favor of changing the statute, and it was changed in the next session.
I’ve known Rekha for many years and she is usually the first person I think of when wanting to call out something harmful to survivors of sexual assault. She asks thoughtful questions and is not necessarily in immediate agreement, as she should not be. I cannot imagine losing voices like hers.
I’ve been watching the Jan 6 hearings, and the specials on Watergate, which I am old enough to remember. An independent, and thoughtfully opinionated, press, is a critical defense against those determined to overthrow democracy.
Where does one go to express an important opinion now? Or, where does one start a needed dialog? Or read one... Plus, there are so many ill informed people out there - where will they get good, solid, well researched info. presented in an analytical manner? I believe that is important in evaluating candidates also. Is it just me, or are't you worried about the growing mass of uniformed or wrongly informed people out there or the gullible people that can't apparently discern anything. I find it frightening.
You're all making very powerful arguments for newsrooms sustaining an editorial voice -- and I heartily agree. Most news consumers don't have the time to research the records of various candidates up and down the ticket before a vote, or to weigh all the relevant positions on hot-button issues such as abortion. I look to editorials for enlightenment or sometimes to find amusement. Sometimes, I even get mad and take action. Now, to Julie's earlier point, how do you get this important Potluck discussion to an even broader audience? Really strong.
Excellent column, Julie. I want to give a shout-out to my local newspaper, the Portland (ME) Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram. It is owned by Reade Brower who has owned it and a number of Maine newspapers for the last six or seven years. The paper has a strong editorial page with its own editorials, a regular column by the editorial page editor, and a few regular Washington Post columnists. For those of us who live in the Town of Maine, it is as necessary as blueberries and lobster.
I loved the comments by your guests, whose names were very familiar. Thanks for sharing their thoughts! There is no easy answer, unfortunately. F.J. Hastings and his contemporaries far from central Iowa, who faithfully read every issue, are long gone.
One of the things I believe is a great credit to the editorial work of the Register is what has been called the "Register McDonald's Rule" which keeps lobbyist in Iowa from entertaining legislators by buying them dinners or anything worth more then $2.99.. That really had a big effect on the legislative process in Iowa.
Editorials lead to action. My family sponsored 2 beautiful Vietnamese families after reading about their plight in the DM papers. My liberal democrat Mom, read the Register (and previously, the Tribune) faithfully, right up to her 97th year. She would read every page of the paper, then frequently underline passages, stories and quotes; then send them home with whomever of my 4 sisters and me needed to read it the most. If she underlined in red ink, we knew it was especially important. She, along with the Register, shaped my worldview. She died 3 years ago after a brief illness and one of the saddest things I had to do, was cancel her DM Register subscription. Thank you Julie for another thoughtful and informative Potluck!
People needs to read all the Above opinions from the great former Register staff in the print and digital version of the Des Moines Register .
Opinion pages and Letters to Editor are extremely important to any newspaper.
I want to read those always to learn what other people think to broaden my perspective.
We Need Editorial pages more often not less frequently. Save the quality of our Des Moines Register by continuing opinions from your staff and local experts.
Good column Julie! I remember when growing up and as a young adult what a wonderful paper the Des Moines Register was. We also took the Des Moines Tribune. It is so sad to see the decline. We still get the Register, but mostly for the crosswords and the funnies!! 😜
Well done, Julie, thank you, and thanks to the Editors who took the time to weigh in and give us an important history lesson on the difference Editorials have made in the culture of our state and to the quality of life here.
Kathi, it is an important conversation to have. There's a huge difference between opinions spouted on social media versus well-researched and reported editorials. Sadly, the decline of legacy news and information resources has contributed to the the disinformation that is guiding too many policy makers today.
Yes. Thank you for starting the conversation, Julie. We need more thoughtful, well-researched writing to happen all across our country. I am encouraged to read that Carol Hunter and her staff are looking at different delivery options for Editorials. I am cheering for them because it is not easy to compete with people who write with a flame thrower.
It IS a big deal.....a really scary big deal. Condensing ownership of and, therefore, control of news is narrowing to but a few. Very frightening. Now, what do we do about it?
I'm working on this. Stay tuned.
Loved all the editorials on editorials. Those have been some of my favorite writers in the Des Moines Register/Tribune. I believe the editorial page is the heartbeat of any paper. If you have a strong editorial page, it follows that the paper will be strong. I think the lack of strong papers has contributed to the political irresponsibility and lack of accountability that is so prevalent. Social media is no substitute for newspapers. In fact, it really adds to lack of accountability with hit and run writing.
Such a discouraging decision. If there is really a belief that readers cannot distinguish between editorials and opinion, can they not be told?
And particularly discouraging that letters to the editor will not be published online. That effectively silences the voices of those who want to contribute to a wider audience in a way other than social media.
Opinion writers have access to public discourse and policy that others don’t. And their opinions matter.
Some years back colleagues and I did a tour of editorial boards to explain the harmful consequences of a sex offender law. It was a little in the weeds to understand the damage and most people cannot imagine changing a law in a way that would appear to advantage sex offenders. The boards listened carefully, understood the points, all came out in favor of changing the statute, and it was changed in the next session.
I’ve known Rekha for many years and she is usually the first person I think of when wanting to call out something harmful to survivors of sexual assault. She asks thoughtful questions and is not necessarily in immediate agreement, as she should not be. I cannot imagine losing voices like hers.
I’ve been watching the Jan 6 hearings, and the specials on Watergate, which I am old enough to remember. An independent, and thoughtfully opinionated, press, is a critical defense against those determined to overthrow democracy.
Where does one go to express an important opinion now? Or, where does one start a needed dialog? Or read one... Plus, there are so many ill informed people out there - where will they get good, solid, well researched info. presented in an analytical manner? I believe that is important in evaluating candidates also. Is it just me, or are't you worried about the growing mass of uniformed or wrongly informed people out there or the gullible people that can't apparently discern anything. I find it frightening.
Well said. Well said.
You're all making very powerful arguments for newsrooms sustaining an editorial voice -- and I heartily agree. Most news consumers don't have the time to research the records of various candidates up and down the ticket before a vote, or to weigh all the relevant positions on hot-button issues such as abortion. I look to editorials for enlightenment or sometimes to find amusement. Sometimes, I even get mad and take action. Now, to Julie's earlier point, how do you get this important Potluck discussion to an even broader audience? Really strong.
Thank you so much, Carol. How do we?
Excellent column, Julie. I want to give a shout-out to my local newspaper, the Portland (ME) Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram. It is owned by Reade Brower who has owned it and a number of Maine newspapers for the last six or seven years. The paper has a strong editorial page with its own editorials, a regular column by the editorial page editor, and a few regular Washington Post columnists. For those of us who live in the Town of Maine, it is as necessary as blueberries and lobster.
Thank you, Laurisa. And cheers to Reade Brower!
I loved the comments by your guests, whose names were very familiar. Thanks for sharing their thoughts! There is no easy answer, unfortunately. F.J. Hastings and his contemporaries far from central Iowa, who faithfully read every issue, are long gone.
Oh my god, F.J. Hastings!
One of the things I believe is a great credit to the editorial work of the Register is what has been called the "Register McDonald's Rule" which keeps lobbyist in Iowa from entertaining legislators by buying them dinners or anything worth more then $2.99.. That really had a big effect on the legislative process in Iowa.
Thanks, Ed!
Editorials lead to action. My family sponsored 2 beautiful Vietnamese families after reading about their plight in the DM papers. My liberal democrat Mom, read the Register (and previously, the Tribune) faithfully, right up to her 97th year. She would read every page of the paper, then frequently underline passages, stories and quotes; then send them home with whomever of my 4 sisters and me needed to read it the most. If she underlined in red ink, we knew it was especially important. She, along with the Register, shaped my worldview. She died 3 years ago after a brief illness and one of the saddest things I had to do, was cancel her DM Register subscription. Thank you Julie for another thoughtful and informative Potluck!
Thanks so much, Jill!
People needs to read all the Above opinions from the great former Register staff in the print and digital version of the Des Moines Register .
Opinion pages and Letters to Editor are extremely important to any newspaper.
I want to read those always to learn what other people think to broaden my perspective.
We Need Editorial pages more often not less frequently. Save the quality of our Des Moines Register by continuing opinions from your staff and local experts.
Good luck!
Mary Helen Grace
Thanks for adding to the conversation!
Good column Julie! I remember when growing up and as a young adult what a wonderful paper the Des Moines Register was. We also took the Des Moines Tribune. It is so sad to see the decline. We still get the Register, but mostly for the crosswords and the funnies!! 😜
Thanks, Marcia. It's a difficult time for legacy media.
Well done, Julie, thank you, and thanks to the Editors who took the time to weigh in and give us an important history lesson on the difference Editorials have made in the culture of our state and to the quality of life here.
Kathi, it is an important conversation to have. There's a huge difference between opinions spouted on social media versus well-researched and reported editorials. Sadly, the decline of legacy news and information resources has contributed to the the disinformation that is guiding too many policy makers today.
Yes. Thank you for starting the conversation, Julie. We need more thoughtful, well-researched writing to happen all across our country. I am encouraged to read that Carol Hunter and her staff are looking at different delivery options for Editorials. I am cheering for them because it is not easy to compete with people who write with a flame thrower.
Yes!
It IS a big deal.....a really scary big deal. Condensing ownership of and, therefore, control of news is narrowing to but a few. Very frightening. Now, what do we do about it?