Readers have opinions about opinion pages

A recent column I wrote about newspapers across the country scaling back their opinion pages drew quite a bit of interesting reader response.

I pointed out that Gannett, the nation’s largest newspaper chain, is urging its papers to curtail the number of opinion pages published weekly while cutting syndicated columnists, unsigned editorials and endorsements in federal races. The company contends “readers don’t want us to tell them how to think,” and that opinion pieces do poorly online while prompting subscription cancellations.

Gannett’s strategy is based on reader survey data. Based on my own experience in The Gazette opinion factory, I argued the chain likely is chasing after angry conservative readers. I also contended that in these days of lies and disinformation, cutting reasonable, fact-based commentary is a bad idea.

But you may recall I did say not all conservatives feel this way.

“I hope The Gazette retains its opinion content,” a reader wrote in an email. “I think that it is good to hear all points of view, especially if they are well written. Getting angry is juvenile. I don’t know if this note from a conservative guy will make any difference but at least it is my opinion.”

He wasn’t the only one.

“Just wanted you to know that I am a conservative who reads the opinion section (dare I say) religiously. It is there that I find the thought process for or against an item. It’s how I learn,” a reader wrote.

He then went on to very respectfully and thoughtfully challenge my views on abortion. Not even once did he urge me to move out of the state. Refreshing.

Much of the response I received was positive. Most people who weighed in value the Insight page and its content, in print and online.

“The Gazette's Insight pages are, to me, the best, and my favorite part of the newspaper. Their loss is one more example of the "dumbing down" of America. Lord knows, there's enough of that!” one reader wrote.

Another reader wrote, “I vote to KEEP the Insight page 7 days a week. It is important to hear the views of our neighbors and the larger community. Thursday’s Insight page is my favorite.”

I like Thursday, too, except for the cranky guy who keeps complaining about the governor.

“We've subscribed for 13 years, and read Insight regularly. Keep it up!” wrote another.

There were, however, dissenting opinions on opinions.

“How do you see with your head so far in the sand?” began one email. Here we go.

“I avoid your articles because you are completely biased (which I get is PART of an opinion) but you most often refuse to see the other side of an issue and just assume all conservatives are evil, racist, transphobic, homophobic etc. etc. etc.,” he wrote.

“So keep churning out one-sided sludge with your blinders on as to why MANY readers avoid the opinion page and choose to cancel their subscriptions,” the reader wrote.

Another reader who identified himself as a conservative said he values opinion content and worked for many years as a journalist.

“But stop with the blaming of hayseed deplorable conservatives for criticizing The Gazette. We get so tired of the misrepresentation of our positions. Of the lazy stereotyping. Of a Sunday op-ed section which has abandoned us,” he wrote.

It’s true, I do hate policies and lousy legislation. But the idea I hate conservatives is an overreaction for effect. My family is full of them. I grew up in a conservative part of rural Iowa. And there are plenty of conservatives I’ve covered over the years whom I admired.

As for the racism and transphobia, when conservatives politicians seek to target trans kids for discrimination, pass bills designed to keep white kids from hearing anything about real Black history that makes them uncomfortable in the classroom and increase penalties for protesting right after Black Lives Matter activists demonstrated across the state, what conclusions should I draw?

Folks on social media also weighed in. This came from The Gazette’s Facebook page.

“Maybe your opinion columns should be of higher quality.

“Maybe your opinion writers should have more diverse opinions.

“Maybe your opinion writers should be people who aren’t wildly out of touch.

“Maybe your opinion pages should have articles from people with contrarian points of view.

“Maybe your opinion pages should have more guest articles.

“Maybe your editorial boards should have more diverse experiences and ideologies.

“Maybe your editorial boards shouldn’t be self-licking ice cream cones or ivory towers out of touch with their readers.”

I’m trying the write higher quality columns, I swear. And I very much feel like a contrarian living in this reddening state. But I think we do provide a range of opinions and many, many guest columns. I do understand our editorial board currently is small and needs more diversity of opinion.

A self-licking ice cream cone, in case you hadn’t heard, is an organization whose only purpose is to sustain its existence. Or, maybe, check your grocer’s freezer case.

Another Facebook comment was more constructive.

“One of the biggest problems is that too many people can't tell factual straight news stories from fact-containing opinion columns/editorials, and the process that goes into writing each. Perhaps instead of eliminating or cutting down on opinion pages like Gannett is doing, newspapers could spend some time educating readers, so they know the difference.

It’s certainly worth a shot. This is something we’ll be discussing in the coming days. Thanks to all for reading and weighing in.

(319) 398-8262; todd.dorman@thegazette.com