COMMENTARY: A Letter From The Editor

By DOUG THOMPSON

Posted: November 8, 2009 at 4:31 a.m.

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SPRINGDALE — I’m the editorial page editor for four newspapers now, including this one.

My biggest job, as I see it, is to help this newspaper stand as a bulwark against groupthink.

Groupthink is what you find on most blogs. The big bulk of Web journalism so far caters to those who agree with each site’s clear point of view.

Newspapers aren’t immune to groupthink either. However, I have four bigger towns to keep up with, more little ones and plenty of countryside. That’s unique. Each place has its own point of view and presses it vigorously. I don’t think I could impose one outlook if I wanted to.

We have a guest column slot on Mondays. We will also have a bigger commitment to letters to the editor than you’ve seen before.

We will take clear editorial stances on matters of importance. There’s no debate if no one takes a position. There’s also a big difference between being open to new ideas and not having a clue.

Some of you may think that’s just talk. You regret the loss of competition. Well, even a nonprofit charity or church has to pay its bills. Our newspaper war ended with a merger. Newspaper wars almost always end with one side or the other closing.

Our readers now have four local papers and a partnership with a statewide one. Frankly, this is a better ending than we had anyright to expect.

As for our political stance, we’re as conservative as newspapers that carry John Brummett’s column can be.

Seriously, the papers have an editorial board. That board will set the policy. I’m on that board.

As for our politics, I can only speak for myself.

I’m for liberty. Liberty means that you do not have people tortured and spied upon in your name. It also means you’re not saddled by debts other people run up for you.

I worked my way into a reputation as a liberal because I had little respect for former President George W. Bush and because I really don’t care what consenting adults do in privacy. I didn’t like Bush because of his horrible record as commander in chief. That had nothing to do with his political philosophy. I don’t care what consenting adults do in privacy because that’s none of my business.

I think readers of my recentcolumns - where I’ve proved to be no big fan of President Obama either - won’t be surprised at the view my editorials will take.

My biggest surprise so far has been the number of people who keep asking if I’m going to take away each town’s local voice.

I’m tempted to answer, “You’re kidding, right?” I couldn’t homogenize the views of the four big towns - much less the rest - if we were the herald of peace and harmony that Obama claimed he was during the election.

No one living could get Springdale and Fayetteville to march in lockstep, much less add Rogers and Bentonville.

We are going to remind people that what happens in Fayetteville has an impact in Bentonville and everywhere in between. The region’s greatest strength is its ability to agree on things where agreement is needed. When consensus is possible, we’ll help forge it.

We’re not going to praise an idea in Fayetteville and mock the exact same concept in Bentonville.

A newspaper is not a town’s voice. It’s a town’s stage. It cannot take anyone’s voice away. All it can do is project that voice - well or badly. Like a stage, its worth will be judged by how well the sound carries from it.

DOUG THOMPSON IS EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR.

Opinion, Pages 8 on 11/08/2009

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