# op-ed vs. fact based journalism? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 26, 2000, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/op-ed-vs-fact-based-journalism/34674 "2000-09-26T23:16:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![andygirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a9adbd/32.png) [@andygirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andygirl)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2000, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/op-ed-vs-fact-based-journalism/34674/1 "2000-09-26T23:16:25Z")
One of the activities that I want to do on campus is write for the campus paper, the Dartmouth. (_not_ the Dartmouth Review- that’s a whole different paper.) I went to the writer training session, and I was informed that people who write op-eds can’t do news reporting for two terms, as they have an objectivity policy. I understand the reasoning behind this policy and I respect that. However, I’m now wondering if I should be a regular reporter or continue working on my kickass National Coming Out Month op-ed that I’m writing on behalf of the Dartmouth Rainbow Alliance. Opinions? I’m torn- I enjoy news reporting, but personal opinion stuff is what I’ve made my journalistic reputation on thus far. Sucky decision. ---
**Author:** ![Geek\_Mecha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecae2f/32.png) [@Geek\_Mecha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Geek_Mecha)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2000, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/op-ed-vs-fact-based-journalism/34674/2 "2000-09-27T06:50:17Z")
Would it be correct to say you enjoy news reporting more, but are better at editorial writing? If so, it’s a tough call. I can think of arguments for pursuing both. My personal preference was for editorials, but because 1) I detested news writing, and 2) I liked the freedoms that were allowed in opinion writing. Since you’ve already got a good Coming Out Month piece, why not pursue the op-ed writing, and see how things go? You may find there are aspects of editorial writing that you like a lot. And if not, well, at least you gave it a shot. It beats wondering how you would have fared as a op-ed writer. ---
**Author:** ![Snooooopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Snooooopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snooooopy)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2000, 7:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/op-ed-vs-fact-based-journalism/34674/3 "2000-09-27T07:47:22Z")
What a strange policy. At my college paper, you could bounce around to whatever amused you. I did regular news, columns, music reviews, the horoscope. ---
**Author:** ![Milossarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Milossarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Milossarian)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2000, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/op-ed-vs-fact-based-journalism/34674/4 "2000-09-27T11:47:16Z")
I agree with Snoop. That seems rather limiting, at a time when you want to experience as much in the business as you can. If I had to stick with one, I’d stick with straight reporting. The experience you get with the day-to-day grind, honing your reporting chops, will go a longer way toward shaping your future and how well you perform in your future employment. If I were you, though, I’d talk to whoever is behind this policy, and see what can be done to do both. (P.S. I’ve been a newspaper reporter and editor for about 8 years now, so I’m not talking out my butt. Well, no more than usual. 😃 ) ---
**Author:** ![Geek\_Mecha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecae2f/32.png) [@Geek\_Mecha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Geek_Mecha)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2000, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/op-ed-vs-fact-based-journalism/34674/5 "2000-09-27T12:09:25Z")
The policy struck me as odd as well, but then again, I’m not sure what my college paper’s policy was on the subject. I joined as a columnist and never did a news story. Didn’t have to, since most writers didn’t want to do columns. Besides, objectivity isn’t something you want to encourage in your editorial writers. 🙂 OTOH, given the slant some of the stories have had lately, I don’t think our paper is concerned with objectivity. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2000, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/op-ed-vs-fact-based-journalism/34674/6 "2000-09-27T12:40:56Z")
I’ve been in the business side of publishing for a long time and seen a LOT of reporters come and go. I’ve got to say that you should do what gives you the most opportunity to _write._ There’s nothing more important to an aspiring writer than simply _writing_. Doesn’t really matter whether it’s op-ed or reporting. Just doing your research and putting the words in a row as often as you can will benefit you over the long haul.