The Richland Chronicle enjoys wide freedom of choice of editorial topics. Freedom imposes serious responsibility. That responsibility is met when staff members investigate facts thoroughly, analyzes situations carefully, forms honest opinions, and clearly expresses itself.
Because demonstration of leadership on the viewpoints page is both the hallmark of a great newspaper and because it is one of the criteria on which awards are based, every print issue of the Richland Chronicle must have at least two editorials in each print edition. Richland Chronicle staff must write all editorials.
The viewpoints editor writes the staff editorial. Another senior writer or editor should write the other editorial(s). Editorials never are written in the first person. Editorials state the position of the newspaper staff on a particular issue. They may call for action. See The Dallas Morning News or U-Wire (www.copyboy.com) for examples of editorials.
Writing a column or editorial for the viewpoints pages is a privilege and editors and senior staff have first priority when writing columns or editorials.
Columns may be written in the first person. Column writers MUST have a current mug shot on file. This mug shot will identify the writer of the column on the web and in print.
Strong differing opinions about an editorial should be used for a point-counterpoint, or a column that dissents with a staff editorial.
The Richland Chronicle does not print profanity for profanity’s sake. Good taste and contemporary community standards shall be a guideline.
While the Richland Chronicle reserves the right to criticize, responsibility and mature judgment are expected to be brought to bear in advance. It is always best to discuss all sides before criticism is published.
Staff members must be fair and accurate and must avoid printing personal expression of limited interest.
The opinion page is the result of the effort of the entire staff, not only the Viewpoints Editor. Columns, editorials and letters will not be jumped.
Members of the staff should keep the Viewpoints Editor supplied with copy. The Viewpoints page is not a news page and therefore cannot accept last-minute filler.
Letters have priority over columns on the Viewpoints page, unless the column is more timely.
No advertisements will be placed on the Viewpoints Page.
