signed editorials

Signed Editorials

Veteran journalists and Sun readers must be wincing after Sun Media

announced Tuesday it will publish only signed editorials as of today.

It is now Sun Media policy to name the writers of all "Point of View"

editorials, said Paul Berton, National Comment Editor, in Tuesday's

Sun Media newspapers.

Paul's comment that "writers in this space will come from across the

country from various Sun Media newspapers" tells us "Toronto's Other

Voice" will be weakened considerably.

Traditionally, which means for a century or two, newspaper editorials

have been anonymous comment that spoke on behalf of the newspaper, not

an individual. Quebec newspapers appear to be the exception in Canada,

as noted on this Government of Canada web page.

Sun Media's editorial policy announcement Tuesday said, in part:

"Since editorial writers are typically not required to write opinions

they oppose, the editorial is often the opinion of the writer, but

presented as the view of a larger group.

"Not any more.

"Readers will find a wider range of opinions from all sides of the

political spectrum here.

"The intent is to invite as many different points of view as possible

to the Comment pages, and encourage a debate with readers and

interactive discussions through Sun Media's website, Canoe.ca."

There's that Quebecor convergence theme again . . .

But isn't a signed editorial just another opinion piece best suited

for the op-ed page or in columns found throughout the newspaper?

Will Toronto Sun editorials no longer speak on behalf of the newspaper

at election time, or as a united voice on major issues in the

community?

Will an individual editorial writer at the pro-Conservative Toronto

Sun be allowed to endorse an NDP candidate running in a provincial or

federal election?

Or will individual editorial writers be restricted to comment that

reflects only the opinion of the newspaper's owners? Which brings us

back to editorials being a mouthpiece for the newspaper.

The daily editorial, a source of pride and a reflection of the Toronto

Sun's clout in the community since the tabloid's birth in 1971, has

just coughed an unsettling cough.

We're anxious to hear the reaction of founding Sun editor Peter

Worthington to this new editorial page edict. Ditto for Lorrie

Goldstein, Senior Associate Editor.

Personally, an anonymous Sun editorial speaking on behalf of the

newspaper and supported by a classic Andy Donato editorial cartoon can

never be topped.

Do the majority of Toronto Sun readers want editorials that focus on

community events in Edmonton, Calgary, Ottawa, Winnipeg etc.?

If not, will the Toronto Sun publish their point of view as Letters to

the Editor?

We doubt it. Dumping Alison Downie and her Readership Editor post was

a clear indication the Sun is no longer open to criticism from its

readers.

BTW: Did you notice there were only four letters to the editor on one

page in Tuesday's Toronto Sun, compared to nine letters over two pages

in Monday's paper? Readers have always had ample space to speak their

mind so hopefully the "new look" doesn't include fewer letters.

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