< Previous page

But the columns are opinions and thus, I would submit, color your perceptions of the newspaper's coverage. Many readers do not draw a distinction, as we do inside the paper, between news stories and opinion pieces. Readers understandably might conclude, based on Saunders' and Sheehan's columns, that The N&O is anti-Wakefield. They would not reach that conclusion based on the news stories alone.

I think there is a legitimate concern whether, among the three columnists, they offer a spectrum of opinion that addresses the full breadth of the newspaper's readership. Yes, they bring the distinct perspectives of a working mom, an African-American man with attitude and, as Rogers recently described himself, a curmudgeon. But I think it's fair to characterize them together as more left than right of center in their political and social perspectives. (For the record, Saunders rejects a label: "I get white readers who call me a racist and black people calling me an Uncle Tom.")

Let it be known that the news columnists are not The N&O's only writers of columns -- others are in sports, editorial and features -- and they don't think in lockstep. Dan Gearino, who writes for the Life, Etc. section, proudly proclaims that "I may be one of the news industry's fully out-of-the-closet conservatives." But Gearino is the newspaper's designated "lifestyle" columnist and gets little opportunity to opine about news.

Should The N&O jettison the local news opinion columnists? (Shuddering down the hall). No. They add life, personality, a face to the paper. But whether it's unleashing Gearino or otherwise, the paper and its readers would benefit from more balance in these columns.

< Previous page

Get $150+ in coupons in every Sunday N&O. Click here for convenient home delivery.