Changes are the one certainty in journalism. How we gather and disseminate the news today is a far cry from how it was done 50 or even five years ago.
Our readers have more information at their disposal than ever before and the Brainerd Dispatch is instituting a few changes on this page in order to help them make sense of it all.
Brained Dispatch editorials are now signed by their authors. This promotes accountability and allows readers to understand whose perspective an issue is being addressed by in the editorial. The majority of editorials will be written by Keith Hansen, the Dispatch’s vice president of audience development, and Mike O’Rourke, associate editor. These editorials reflect the opinions of the authors. As usual, the publisher has veto power on any editorial.
There will be occasions when an editorial reflects the consensus of the Brainerd Dispatch’s editorial board. In those cases the editorial will be labeled “Our opinion” and signed “Editorial board.”
We’ve made a few other changes as well. In addition to Hansen and O’Rourke, members of the editorial board are Tim Bogenschutz, publisher; Terry McCollough, former publisher; and Jackie Burkey, community representative.
The political season is well under way and the Dispatch will no longer require that endorsement letters be limited to 50 words. The 300-word limit will apply to all letters now.
The remaining standard requirements for letters will continue to be enforced. Writers are limited to one letter per week. The writer’s name and city must be provided. Letters containing personal attacks will not be considered. The Dispatch will not print letters from writers airing a personal complaint with a private enterprise. Letters that are considered libelous will not be published.
We welcome your letters. The Dispatch’s aim is to encourage a lively and robust debate on public issues. There’s no reason such a debate can’t be done with civility and respect for everyone’s viewpoint.
— Editorial board
Comments (17)
Add comment'My Opinion'
might be a more honest and accurate title for those editorials penned by one person.
Welcome!
Enjoy this fine area!
Better late than never?
This is a helpful explanation, but why wasn't this editorial written in January? In addition, thank you for Mr. Hansen's resume (in another article, this edition of Dispatch), but he's already hired. The chronology of his past positions is less useful (for me, a reader) than information that might shed light on his political views. Why didn't the Dispatch have a reporter do an interview with Mr. Hansen, as opposed to the published, auto-biographical piece? Why did Morris Multimedia (owner of Dispatch) decide to hire someone with Mr. Hansen's views - who would also serve as main "editorialist" - during this very significant election year?
Do the advertisers of the Dispatch approve of this fairly strong shift regarding editorial position? I guess we'll find out.
I
All editorials are opinion
So, Mr. Hansen can't have views, but the other editorial writers that have been writing editorials can?
If you agree with the editorial than the writer doesn't have
personal views because it is your view.
One of Mr. Hansen's first editorials drew out the other writers who couldn't write fast enough that they disagreed with his editorial.
This new guy is a welcome relief for many of us. Thank you to this paper for bringing him on. It looks like he has a nice family and he isn't afraid to bring out the issues that we are facing today
It's actually entertaining how some people are bothered by the new writer and his opinions..
"As news organizations, in their struggle to survive,
blur the lines between editorial and advertising, does credibility take a hit?" Count me as one who is still a little confused about what the job description of V.P. Audience Development really entails. Is it more business development (mktg, advertising, bottom-line, money-making stuff), or more content-driven -- news/editorial-side kinda stuff? Understandably, times they are a-changing in the newspaper business. This article: http://www.ajr.org/article.asp?id=4775 points out that "there was a time when the separation between marketing ("audience development?) and editorial was as vigorously defended as the separation between church and state."
But, then again, Mr. Hansen has recently opined on the latter separation, as well.
Fresh from the anti-Rush
campaign the Bubba trys to insinuate a threat to the BDD for allowing dissension from the ultraleft propaganda machine.
Quite the contrary, Mr/ms Fair and Balanced
The question as to whether p.o.v. matters at all (in the rush to earn dollars) is the real issue. As a fairly new reader of this paper, I had no idea that some of you "oldies" thought the previous editorials had a left-of-center viewpoint. My main point, FnB, was that business interests will always prevail. The almighty dollar will always rule.
boy, fnb
If I didn't know that Morris Communications has a policy against their employees posting online anonymously, I would think you were Keith the way you jump to his defense after someone posts a negative remark about him.
He looks like he can defend himself.
See, I didn't even correct your spelling.
girl, lakelander
subtle threats equals another devious left wing representative is on here. Possibly he always was. You can't hide Bubba because lake's love gave you away.
What spelling?
i hope that when the BDD
i hope that when the BDD editorial board has no opinion or is too lazy to form one, they will just put a note in saying, "We have no opinion" rather than running nonsense by the likes of Dana Millbanks. A column by Thomas Sowell once in a while would go a long way in restoring my faith and trust in this paper.A Christmas opinion piece by or along the line of the senior McCollough wouldn't hurt at all The 300 word limit should be waved when responding to any letter from Emily or Merrifield.
Good
"Brained Dispatch editorials are now signed by their authors."
It's about time. Your readers should have the opportunity to see what your employees think on an individual basis instead of just assuming that you're all a bunch of lefties.
suggestions for editorials
Is Chip a resident of MN and can he vote here if his family resides in New Hampshire? And does it even matter to anyone? Any less pork going into the district and is this a good thing? (See Star Trib story today)
Zimmerman vs Martin? Who threw the first punch? And today is the million person hoodie march? Anything in MN going on regarding this?
Youth in politics trend? What motivates them to toss their hats into the circus ring?
lakelander
The Black Panthers have put a bounty out on Zimmerman, 1 million dollars "Dead or Alive". That ain't no noose hanging on a dormitory door there. Do you think maybe those peaceful people have commited a hate crime with their bounty or do you give them a pass? Zimmerman is half white and half hispanic.
get your facts straight
"The New Black Panther Party is offering a $10,000 bounty for the capture of Zimmerman, the Florida neighborhood watch captain who shot and killed Martin, an unarmed teenager, last month."
You and Keith both have a problem with facts and numbers.
"capture"...not dead or alive
$10,000, not a million
You bit
reeling in......... so you are OK with that? They're carrying a noose. They said they'll try him....... mob law is OK?
Once, and only once: Lakelander, don't roll in the mud w/fools
. . . you are so much better than that. Yumbo
How about this
Charges of racism have tainted the investigation. And the New Black Panther Party has jumped on the opportunity to raise money. The NBPP may collect up to $1,000,000 in fundraising because of the outrage against Zimmerman and the publicity captured by the racist organization. In the process, the NBPP may get Zimmerman killed by lynching. The NBPP fully understands the danger of their rabble-rousing, and they don't seem to care about Zimmerman's safety.
OK with you Bubba? You be the fool, boy. What say you lake?
Got your ropes ready libs?