Every good community newspaper should include a diverse range of voices, spanning from its own leadership to those of a cross-section of its readers.

The best place for this proverbial “voice” to be heard is on the opinion page. Here at Leader Publications the opinion pages are only published once a week.

That is going to change soon.

We plan to add at least two opinion pages to the Niles Daily Star and the Dowagiac Daily News. We may also add additional space for commentary in the Edwardsburg Argus and the Cassopolis Vigilant.

These Op-Ed pages will include at least three elements each time and hopefully will become something to which readers can really look forward.

First, each will feature an editorial that expresses the newspaper editorial board’s viewpoint on an important issue impacting the community. Although the news coverage should be objective and balanced, the newspaper has a responsibility to be a social advocate for positive changes.

The worst thing we could do, as a newspaper, is stand on the sidelines and not be a part of making our communities better.

Second, we want to showcase as many letters to the editor or guest columns that allow citizens a platform to express their views on the issues that are important to them or are impacting their lives. This may be the most important part of the opinion page and one that we hope will resonate the most with readers because it is your views or those of your friends and neighbors.

If you would like to be a regular opinion contributor, let me know. We hope to have a variety of authors that span a wide range of topics and viewpoints.

Lastly, we will include a political cartoon to ensure that we don’t take life — or ourselves — too seriously. Nothing is wrong with having a laugh or two about the big issues of the day. Our politicians certainly make easy targets today. If weren’t laughing we might have to cry.

A strong editorial page has been a fundamental part of newspapers for centuries that will continue for years to come. Evolution can be good in some cases but being inclusive of multiple views and perspectives should never change.

 

Michael Caldwell is the publisher of Leader Publications LLC. He can be reached at (269) 687-7700 or by email at mike.caldwell@leaderpub.com.