Comments on all things journalism and answers to questions from readers about news coverage and operations at the Tracy Press.

Thursday, December 22, 2005

But what about the names on Our View?

A longtime Tracy Press subscriber called to say my comments on the gutless letter-writer sparked a thought: Speaking of names, why doesn't the TP sign its own editorials?

I'm asked that question often. Actually, we do put our names on every editorial. Our Voice represents the voice of the publisher and the editorial board, and each of those names is listed on the Voice page.

That's not unlike most professional newspapers in the country, which publish unsigned editorials.

At the Tracy Press, our Associate Editor Jack Eddy, a member of the editorial board, is paid to pen most of the editorials. But he takes several weeks of vacation a year, so some of the editorials are written by me (editor) or Bob Matthews (publisher) or Sam Matthews (publisher emeritus). Regardless of who is doing the writing, each editorial represents our views as an editorial board.

What if we can't all agree on a position to take?
The publisher decides.

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