Editorials

The introduction of the editorial article as a format for the separation of fact based reporting from opinion in newspapers became a central organising principle of journalistic practice in the early 20th century. Editorial journalism is distinct from other forms of newspaper journalism in several ways.

Editorials represent the collective institutional voice of a newspaper rather than that of an individual, have no by-line, occupy a special place in the physical geography of a newspaper, are written with differing aims and motivations to news reports, and require a distinctive style and form

of expression. The relationship between the press, politics and public opinion has underpinned the study of editorial journalism which has attributed a powerful role to newspapers in the public sphere as key opinion leaders and agenda setters. Research has established that newspapers use their

editorial voice to ‘make a difference’ by guiding readers, making demands of politicians, and intervening in debates.