In Search Of Hometown Pundits p. 8

Posted Wednesday, May 4, 2011 6:02 pm

By: M.L. STEIN

OPINION EDITORS ARE seeking out more local talent to write op-ed columns but finding out that developing them is a talent itself. MainPhoto =
This was the picture that emerged during interviews and panel discussions when opinion editors convened recently in Los Angeles.
Several said they still rely fairly heavily on syndicated columnists, even while scraping their communities to uncover home-grown writers with something to say that impacts more meaningfully
in the lives of readers. Subjects include education, welfare, crime, race relations, gay and lesbian issues or the ups and downs of single motherhood.
Conferees at the annual meeting of the Association of Opinion Page Editors (AOPE) represented newspapers ranging from the Wall Street Journal and Los Angeles Times to the Eugene, Ore., Register-Guard.
AOPE President Tom Wellman of the Toledo Blade said his entire Saturday opinion page is given over to local contributors.

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In Search Of Hometown Pundits p. 8

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