What, Why, How
Re Op-Ed Generation

Where Salem-News Op-Ed Content Comes From -- And WHY.

Photo Courtesy: OSU Library

(SALEM) - `A belly-button opinion" is what one often gets --titled thus since `everyone has one and they are all about the same" -- whenever the usual individual `opinion" is heard-or-read.

That`s from a favorite story re former Oregon Governor Sprague, owner-Editor of The STATESMAN JOURNAL, who was famous for `writing his own" -- and delivering something far from the belly-button level, too.

That simply will not do for professional publications now -- especially now-- when many more millions seek out their own solid information, from manifold sources easily accessed via Internet.

Here in Salem-News we try to make sure what you read is NOT simply off-the forehead (much less from lower-level !); but comes to you only after rapid, diligent and professional check-out of fact and fancy; and anything else concomitant with professional reporting.

You have every right to expect that level of reporting from every publication presenting itself as `professional" -- especially including your daily newspaper, whose very existence is due to the First Amendment.

We are proud to appear in that format, now, alternatively here in Salem, even --or especially !~- via instant-Internet. We think it proves up something essential about modern communications and realities in our world-today -- and in the Oregon future, too.

Usually as many as fifty sources, clips, columns, pundit-piles, and documentation from standard research sources is used in what we compile, summarize, and then present to you.

The materials come from an ongoing surveillance conducted systematically and professionally in preparation for precisely this level of reporting.

An Op Ed gets its title from reality. This ongoing general feature, found widely these days, began as channel for public answer to views of daily-newspaper editors, often following their statement in the next edition; and often sited right across from the favorite Edit-Page spot for the Editor`s own column.

Here `Op Ed" defines and delimits our own solidly-documented statement -- NOT in any way ONLY a personal belief, but rather our reflection of reality from numerous sources. It will summarize most-essential and always-rational points surrounding issues, events, or ongoing public problems; and, sometimes, a public personality affecting any of these.

Our Op Eds are intended to be persuasive. We mean to present the facts-of-the-matter, from those with `a right to speak" built on expertise and experience on the topic. We`ll state, clearly, we hope, what those realities mean to us, to the community, to the state and nation sometimes.

THEN we expect YOU to do your own part: Provide your own evaluation of reality-as-shown, and then cogitate about what it means to YOU, your family, your community; and YOUR State and nation.

That`s the First Amendment `heart of the matter" -- and the heart of our democracy, too.

How well we reach that standard depends in part on YOU.

No matter how persuasively we write, the only possible real pay-off is in benefits bestowed on the whole community, by your improved understanding of the realities discussed -- and what YOU decide to do about them.

The only practical key-to-that is your continuing response. We must hear from you, continuously, if we are to do this job well, rapidly, and rightly.