Turf or astroturf? A look at the scope of the "canned
letter" phenomenon.(letters to the editor campaigns)
Several years ago, the "astroturf" phenomenon was a big
deal for editorial page editors across the nation, resulting in several
commentaries and news reports about this high-tech wrinkle in . . .
Who we are and what we do: an Internet-researched update: some
things change rapidly in our modern world ... but some things, li
In 1995, NCEW member David Klement didn't mention the
still-infant Internet in his survey that questioned editorial page
editors about what influenced their thinking. In 2006, the Internet . . .
Whatever the medium, it's true persuasion that counts most:
Carthago delenda est. Powerful editorials didn't always require
neat
People have always wanted to communicate, not to mention bloviate,
and so the op-ed as an idea is perfectly safe. But the expression of
that idea--the mode of communication--is subject to change. . . .
Staying meaningful: the answer is found in the middle ground:
good arguments? Sure. Good presentation? Sure. Avoiding predictabi
There is, of course, within the family of opinion writing, this
perennial argument over what attracts readers to our pages--and what
keeps them coming back for more.
The traditionalists insist . . .
Fleshing out the future.(SYMPOSIUM: The future of our
opinions)(newspapers)
Is the future in 3-D? Nick Anderson, editorial cartoonist for the
Houston Chronicle, posted his first 3-D cartoon on the Chronicle's
website in June, on the Supreme Court ruling on Texas . . .
Give readers what they want: a real spread on their editorial
table. The best hope for the survival of newspapers is their comme
Guessing the future of newspapers has become a full-time occupation
for legions of journalists who figure their days are numbered. I feel
"our" pain, but am optimistic that newspapers will . . .
The paperless opinion page: the best opinion pages are as diverse
as their audiences.(MASTHEAD SYMPOSIUM)
I have seen the future of newspapers. I saw it during a chase scene
in Steven Spielberg's science fiction thriller Minority Report.
Tom Cruise was rushing through the crowd on a metro train in . . .
Anniversaries: not so much about where we started but about where
we're going.(National Conference of Editorial
Writers)(Editori
I KNOW WHAT MANY of you are thinking: Hmmm. Kind of a slim
"60th Anniversary" Masthead here.
Your eyes do not betray you. After consulting in midsummer with a
lot of people whose history with . . .
Remembrances.(Wilbur Elston, Jerry Ausband, E.W.
Kieckehefer)(Obituary)
Former NCEW president and life member Wilbur Elston died at his
Grosse Pointe, Michigan, home on October 18. He was 93. The following
remembrance is part of an obituary that appeared in The Detroit . . .
A slew of thank-you's for jobs well done.(PRESIDENT'S
LETTER: Straight talk from Neil Heinen)(National Conference of Editorial
W
The exchange of endorsement stories that circulated through our
listserv the first week of November was certainly a welcome diversion
from the daily challenges elections pose for our pages.
But . . .
Becoming old-fashioned: bringing readers inside the opinions: an
editorial writer interviews himself.(SHOP
TALK/INNOVATIONS)(Int
Question: You publicize your editorial ideas ahead of time and then
let readers comment on the rough-draft editorials. How? Why?
Answer: Yes, readers know the Statesman Journal editorial
board's . . .
NCEW: it wasn't always like this: the convention evolved as
the membership evolved.(CONVENTION 2006)(National Conference of
Edit
The NCEW that convened in Pittsburgh this year was vastly different
from the NCEW in Washington more than two decades ago, when I attended
my first convention.
For one thing, that NCEW was . . .
Facing the future: is your operation ready?(PITTSBURGH '06
OPPEDAHL SPEAKS)(newspaper publising)
"The winds of change are really a gale," and before
editorial pages get blown away they must become centers of innovation,
according to John Oppedahl.
Speaking during September's NCEW convention, . . .
What NCEW members said ...(National Conference of Editorial
Writers)(Conference news)
RICK HOROWITZ, Milwaukee: The risk of automatic Gayle Beck
responses seems to have abated, and the in-box pile seems a bit more
manageable, so it's time--past time--to congratulate Tom . . .
Political food for thought from Ruth Reichl: from Kielbasa to
Clark bars to ... tasty-if tainted spinach.(PITTSBURGH '06 REICHL
For some, mealtime heavy lifting consists of forkfuls of
cheesecake.
For Ruth Reichl, it's all about the food--where it comes from,
how it's produced, and what's really in it.
The Taste of . . .
Spellings wants to tackle college costs, skilled teachers
next.(PITTSBURGH '06 EDUCATION ISSUES)(Margaret Spellings )
If you liked the changes brought by the federal No Child Left
Behind education law, wait until the U.S. Department of Education cracks
down on higher ed.
"In 2007, we will talk more about higher . . .
An NCEW conversation with Arlen Specter: a proud Republican
moderate works the room.(PITTSBURGH '06 SPECTER SPEAKS)(National
Con
In a time where politicians are hell-bent on preaching to the choir
and not exposing themselves to unscripted questions from uninvited
guests, U.S. Senator Aden Specter, R.-Pennsylvania, turned . . .
Economically speaking, the sky is falling: three economists agree
the U.S. economy needs some tough love.(PITTSBURGH '06 FISCAL
Unsustainable. Frightening. Unconscionable.
That's the long-term fiscal outlook of the United States in a
nutshell, according to the panel of experts that spoke at this
year's convention in . . .
Dear diary: a convention newby sees the future: overprocess this,
Ruth Reichl!(PITTSBURGH '06 FIRST-TIMERS)(National Conference
Dear diary:
From the time I register at the NCEW conference late Wednesday
afternoon, I'm as big a target as if Sherid Virnig had taped a
"kick me" sign on my back. Instead, I'm handed a . . .
Bridges, hills, waterfront hotel ... who knew Pittsburgh rocks?
It's official! Your host for the convention has thought of
every
Dear future first-timer:
If you've never been to an NCEW convention, now's the
time to start planning for Kansas City. This first-time attendee
didn't know what to expect at this year's gathering . . .
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