By
Joel Magalnick, Karen Chachkes
,
Sparked by reaction to an editorial cartoon appearing in the last issue of JTNews, our editorial committee met for a lively conversation. We discussed the cartoon specifically, and the larger issues we consider when developing content for our “Page 3″ (and beyond) Viewpoints section.
How can we serve as “The Voice of Jewish Washington” when the voices are so numerous and varied? How, particularly in this compressed, emotionally charged political season, can the voice of Jewish Washington fairly represent our diverse constituency?
This week, our editorial committee developed a set of guidelines for Page 3. Because we want you to understand our position and the thinking behind it, we are sharing the guidelines here.
As always, we invite you to participate in the conversation. Whenever you have an opinion to share with our community, please send letters to the editor and contribute frequently to our citizen’s blog, The Transcript, online at jtnews.net.
We wish you a happy and insightful High Holiday season.
Karen Chachkes
Publisher, JTNews
Joel Magalnick
Editor, JTNews
VIEWPOINTS PAGE GUIDELINES
The Viewpoints section of the JTNews includes contributed columns, editorial cartoons, signed editorials by the JTNews editor, and unsigned editorials by the JTNews Editorial Committee. The Editorial Committee of the JTNews has adopted new guidelines on editorial content of the Viewpoints section.
1. The JTNews is the voice of “Jewish Washington,” representing a broad range of
religious, cultural, economic, social and political views.
2. The editor will make a best effort at fairly balancing viewpoints. Such balance need
not necessarily occur within the same issue of the JTNews, but should
occur in a time frame that is appropriate for the matter being addressed.
3. Families of public figures — meaning local or national officeholders or candidates for office, celebrities, clergy, organizational heads, and other newsmakers determined
by the editor to be public figures — shall not be addressed editorially unless they are
substantively involved in an issue that is the subject of the editorial.
This may not always hold true for reporting.
4. Content should be of interest to the Jewish community of Washington state, whether
directly or tangentially, and consistent with the mission statement of the JTNews.
5. The Editorial Committee may add or modify these guidelines at any time, and, through
its normal process, may make exceptions at any time.