Editorial
Writing
An editorial is a
newspaper article having immediate relevance and pertaining to a current issue.
For
instance, though, sharing of Cauvery water has always been a bone of contention
with the two states, the issue becomes topical due to latest developments.
Violence followed the September 2016 judgment pronounced by Supreme Court
asking Karnataka to release water to Tamil Nadu as water crisis deepens in the
two states. The Hindu acclaimed
for its timely editorials immediately published an article on the Cauvery water
dispute with the title ‘Sharing without Caring’ observing that the dispute was less about ‘water and irrigation
and more about linguistic chauvinism and regional identity’(September14, 2016).
Similarly, another editorial
published by The Hindu ‘Sapping India’s Vitality’ lamented the failure
of public health system in curbing vector-borne viral diseases as Chickengunya and Dengue rage over Northern India.
Editorials analyze and comment
upon local, national and international news of significance. ‘Syrian Crisis’ rules
the year and it will be a mere desperate prayer to wish the Middle east
revolution would turn out to be unreal nightmare not a reality with
future.
Once again, under the rubric of September13, 2016 headline ‘They are the world…’ The Hindu in a woeful parody of a
hopeful song of yore draws attention to the grim picture of migrant children
based on UNICEF reports underlining the shocking figure of more than 50 million
displaced children.
A range of subjects from immigration norms, war and violence
to constitutional reforms may be considered for editorial writing. Editorials
like those by Philip P. Kerby of Los Angeles Times in 1976 have upheld freedom
of expression and canvassed for the ‘right to know’ by questioning the need for
‘government secrecy’ and ‘judicial censorship’. Despite, adverse political
pressure, editorials have been conscience-keepers of those in power. In
an interesting editorial discussing Indian judicial system under the heading
‘From dissent to disapproval,’ the newspaper, The Hindu maintains that history ‘shows
that principled dissent often leads to reform’. It expresses adulation for Justice
J. Chelameswar who ‘has acted on his famous dissent. After disagreeing with the
majority on a Constitution Bench that struck down the law enacted to establish
a National Judicial Appointments Commission, the judge, who is part of the
five-member Supreme Court collegium, has opted to keep out of its proceedings’(September5,
2016).
It is important to refer to Pulitzer
Prize that is given in honour of excellence in journalism since 1917.
Editorials that are remarkable in spirit and word are awarded. The parameters
suggest the importance of hinging strong writing skills on rationality and
morality to lead public opinion; awards go to‘ distinguished editorial writing,
the test of excellence being clearness of style, moral purpose, sound
reasoning, and power to influence public opinion in what the writer conceives
to be the right direction, using any available journalistic tool’.
The editorial articulates
the viewpoint or the official position held by a newspaper regarding an issue
of public importance. It is not an individual expert’s view point on an issue
but the position taken on local, national or international matters by the
publication. The attitude when publishing an editorial is not of ‘disclaimer’
but of acceptance, acknowledgement and responsibility. Editorials are required to
be lucid, analytical, well crafted, provocative and persuasive.
These are rich in
information, deeply researched (2005) and deal with issues comprehensively.
They often address ‘complex state issues’ (2004), explore ‘dilemmas’ (2002) .The
tone may vary from forceful or dispassionate to ‘down-to-earth’ to ‘admonishing’
(2009) or ‘incisive ‘(2004)when criticism is justified but also ‘compassionate and compelling’ (2007)
where public opinion needs to be guided.
These excel at analysis and can assess consequences of
current developments and gauge their future impact. Well-researched editorials
can help fix responsibilities and resolve crisis- they have the power to
enlighten people and create greater awareness as information reaches the public
in a credible and comprehensive manner.
However, editorials appeal not out of prejudice but
equipoise. For instance, David Moats of Rutland
(VT) Herald won recognition for his ‘even-handed and influential series of
editorials’ commenting on a certain controversial and divisive issue(2001).They
can even mitigate disaster or civil crisis and have the effect of healing as
editorials by John Strohmeyer of Bethlehem
(PA) Globe-Times that aimed at ‘reducing racial tensions in Bethlehem’ in
1972.
Editorials have the power to run campaigns. Noteworthy are
the editorials by John C. Bersia of The
Orlando Sentinel in 2000 that campaigned against ‘predatory lending practices
in the state, which prompted changes in local lending regulations’. Editorials
were found effective in campaigns that ranged from rescuing heritage buildings
(1999) to helping government restructure the education system. They may prompt
reforms and empower the powerless as the editorials dealing with social welfare
systems centred on children and women. While governments and corporate are
interested in ‘development’; editorials may draw attention to the contemporary
threat from ‘overdevelopment’.
They may demonstrate
the grit to go against- the- grain or satirize establishment even when the
majority view is different. Joseph Rago of The
Wall Street Journal was commended for his well-written editorials that
questioned health reforms advocated by the US president Obama.
They may be
‘relentless’ and unsparing in condemnation of social disparities and expose the
real issues with a missionary zeal. Sensitive editorials may help sustain
sympathy for a long-standing but neglected cause or even be capable of evoking
empathy when issues become hackneyed. Editorials are praised for bringing fresh
perspectives on much-lamented issues. Cornelia Grumman of Chicago Tribune won the 2003 Pulitzer for ‘her powerful, freshly
challenging editorials on reform of the death penalty’.
A well-written
editorial is distinguished for ‘engaging
readers and driving home the link between necessary solutions and their impact
on everyday lives’ (Pulitzer Prize, 2014).They must be able to explain urgent
but complex issues in simple terms. Great editorials have the power to run
campaigns and cause governments to reconsider their decisions and revise their
policies as 2013 award-winning editorial by Tim Nickens and Daniel Ruth of Tampa Bay Times did. Some editorials
have been acknowledged to have stirred the governments into action as 2005
editorial that made government take stalk of a flooded valley in California. The
writers were praised for their ‘diligent campaign that helped reverse a
decision to end fluoridation of the water supply for the 700,000 residents of
the newspaper's home county’.
As stated, the 2016 Pulitzer Prize
for editorial writing was won by John Hackworth and Brian Gleason of Sun
Newspapers, Charlotte Harbor ‘For fierce, indignant editorials that demanded
truth and change after the deadly assault of an inmate by corrections
officers’. The list of editorials includes topics dealing with ‘income inequality’
(2015); ‘rising pension costs’ (2014); to those dealing with inability of
governments to curb child abuse.
References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Editorial
http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/from-dissent-to-disapproval/article9072595.ece
http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/editorial-on-cauvery-issue-and-the-dispute/article9104515.ece
http://www.pulitzer.org/prize-winners-by-category/214
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