The people who write the editorials that stand as the newspaper’s official opinion do their work within a room that is both literally and figur atively walled off from those who re port the news.
It is critical that the two remain separate. Readers and news sources alike must have confidence that the stories our reporters write are not driven by opinion. And editorial writers must be able to express opinions that are independent of the need to establish and nurture sources and a “beat.”
Most readers instinctively understand the role of the reporter and the stories that appear under his or her byline — but the job of the editorial writer and the process by which editorials are written remain largely cloaked in mystery. So what better time to throw some light on the subject than now, as Elizabeth Sullivan takes over the leadership of The Plain Dealer’s editorial page from Brent Larkin, who held the job for 18 years?
Larkin, and now Sullivan as the new editor of the editorial page, are two of the most recognizable journalists in Cleveland. But in general, editorial writers labor in anonymity. Editorials in The Plain Dealer never carry a byline or signature because they are not just based on the opinions of the writer. Each editorial is a consensus of the editorial board, determined through debate and collaboration.
The Plain Dealer has six people who write editorials, all veterans with at least two decades of newspaper experience. Each has carved out an area of expertise. In addition to Sullivan, they are:
Kevin O’Brien, deputy editorial page editor. He’s worked at newspapers since 1979, and has written editorials since 1993. He stays on top of issues in science, technology and medicine for the editorial board.
Joe Frolik, chief editorial writer. He’s been in the newspaper business since 1978, has written editorials since 2001 and focuses on national issues and politics.
Sharon Broussard. A journalist since 1987, she has written editorials for 16 years and concentrates on suburban issues, education issues and Africa.
Christopher Evans. He started his newspaper career in 1980 and began writing editorials late last year. His areas of expertise are city and county government.
Thomas Suddes. He worked at The Plain Dealer from 1982 through 2000, when he left to pursue a doctorate in mass communication at Ohio University. He returned in 2007 as a part-time editorial writer, concentrating on Ohio government and politics.
Sullivan, who started her newspaper career in 1976 and joined The Plain Dealer in 1979, was the newspaper’s European correspondent and then foreign affairs correspondent for 10 years and an editorial writer for an additional 10 years. Her areas of expertise include international and national security issues.
You can find out more about all these folks by going to cleveland.com and searching for “Plain Dealer Editorial Team.” Select the link at the top of the resulting list.
The editorial board gathers each morning to discuss the news and issues of the day, and what editorials they might produce. One by one, from their areas of expertise, each member describes the editorials he or she is researching, and suggests ideas for others. All of the editorials are discussed, some vigorously if the topic is controversial. When there is disagreement, the group strives for consensus.
“The process almost guarantees that there will be no extremes either to the right or the left,” said Sullivan. “We are very aware that we are speaking for the newspaper and not ourselves.”
Publisher Terry Egger and Editor Susan Goldberg are members of the editorial board and often attend its meetings, but do not write editorials.
“They’re not shy about expressing their opinions, but they’re careful not to throw their weight around,” said Sullivan. “They have never in my experience tried to force their opinions on which way an editorial should go.”
The system is remarkably akin to the way the Supreme Court arrives at its decisions:
The board discussion usually produces a clear idea of what the editorial will say, and the writer strives to match both the “temperature” and content of that discussion. Valid points raised by others can tone down or deflect an editorial away from the writer’s original intent, and even after it is written, other members might debate a point or suggest a change, which often is incorporated in the final version.
Stare decisis, the court’s respect for precedent, is also taken seriously on The Plain Dealer editorial board. Issues that have been debated and settled, such as the newspaper’s opposition to the death penalty or support of school choice, usually are not re-argued unless there is some new revelation or reason to do so. On the rare occasion when a long-held position is reversed, the editorial makes sure to acknowledge the previous stand and explain why it was changed.
When it comes time for election endorsements, the board interviews competing candidates at the same time if possible, so as to see them together, and see how they challenge each other and respond. Afterward, the board discusses the candidates’ merits and arrives at a choice and an approach to the endorsement editorial, which often includes points made by the minority, if there is one.
And if, after all that, the board is deadlocked?
“I break the tie,” said Sullivan.
Sullivan says she plans no significant departures from the way Larkin ran the editorial page, although she has added some syndicated political cartoons covering a wider spectrum of political viewpoints and plans to tweak content in other ways.
“Our goal is to provide a forum for a civil conversation, with editorials that discuss and express opinions on issues that impinge on Cleveland and its people, hold people accountable for their actions regardless of political affiliation, look for ways that we can move forward as a community, and provide an opportunity for our readers to express themselves through letters and forum pieces.”
