Public-journalism expert questions big daily's local-only policy on editorial page

The Minneapolis Star Tribune recently decided to limit its editorials to local subjects, but the folks at the Public Journalism Network say it might not be such a great idea.

The policy began with this memo from publisher Chris Harte, in which he said the editorial pages should "concentrate more heavily than ever on local, state and regional issues. This is where we can stake a claim like no other media can. Our readers can go to many places to get informed opinion on the Iraq war or global warming. But there are very few places they can go for expert opinion on local issues. And that is where I want us to dwell, with the active participation of our readers."

Leonard Witt of Kenesaw State University in Georgia argues on PJNet that while readers do have many sources for national and international issues, The Star Tribune should reflect Minnesotans' "local sensibility" even in pieces on national and international topics. Removing that perspective on those issues does more harm to the local than good, he argues. "Instead of seeing those national and international events through the sensibilities of someone who has her pulse on Minnesota, local people’s opinions will be informed by someone else, somewhere else," Witt concludes. (Read more)