The Columnist - A Newspaper's Biggest Asset4280137
Throughout the world individuals show super loyalty to newspaper columnists and find they determine with them slightly than the newspaper itself. They turn the pages of their favourite read to see their take on things. A columnist's opinion tends to mirror readers mood; they are typically controversial or no less than enlightening. This empathy with the readership transfers intense loyalty to the newspaper they write for. The title is apt for, like Saint Simeon Stylites of Syria, who in the 5th Century harangued the populace from his column, newspaper columnists also wield monumental power.
Just as Norman Rockwell once epitomised the United States together with his paintbrush, the nation's columnists carried out the same process with their typewriters. Their names stay on; in the U.S. Mark Twain, Ambrose Bierce, Walter Winchell, H.L Mencken: In the UK Cassandra, Lynda Lee-Potter, Richard Littlejohn of the Every day Mail. The listing is endless. They shape opinions, they turn into household names.
The Power of Three Senators
The Washington columnist Marquis Childs guessed that James Reston of the New York Occasions had roughly the facility of three U.S. Senators. Their influence is such that presidents and prime ministers tirelessly courtroom them; none more so than U.S President Lyndon B. Johnson who was a Walter Lippmann sycophant. He knew that such an influential columnist might make or break him while the citizens have been still in bed.
Lippmann's 'At this time and Tomorrow' column appeared 3 times every week in more than 200 newspapers. He had drafted President Wilson's famous 14 Points and was later wined, dined and courted by Russian Premier Nikita Khrushchev. Lippmman played a leading part in bringing the Vietnam Warfare to an end; a warfare which his formidable rival, columnist Joseph Alsop helped to start. As he ordered 50,000 more troops to Vietnam Lyndon Johnson was heard to murmur: "There; that should maintain Joe Alsop quiet for a while."
Mightier Than the Sword
No fewer than 800 American newspapers carried Walter Winchell's every day column. Little did his adoring readership know that Herman Klurfield, for twenty-nine years, served as Winchell's ghost writer. Many columns are written by a gaggle effort and appear beneath a pseudonym; in effect a brand name.
In the United States alone function syndicates and major newspapers carry the opinionated every day debates of over 200 columnists. To these may be added local commentators overlaying every little thing from gardening to sportswriters, political pundits and social gossip columnists. Across the U.S. it is estimated that 26,000 periodicals are offered for by 15,000 principally freelance writers. This number can no less than be doubled if the UK and European Union are included.
Such is the influence provided by a barrel-thumping columnist that the calling has attracted probably the most illustrious figures in history. Both U.S. President Roosevelts' have been newspaper columnists, as have been President Ronald Reagan and presidential hopeful Barry Goldwater.
A columnist's value to an editor cannot be understated. Controversy moves newsprint like no other. His challenging wordsmith gets away with expressing opinions the editor daren't utter; it is the columnist not the newspaper that draws the flak. The column is area accounted for and so is someone else's problem. Most essential of all there's neither news nor sport function that can draw and maintain as many readers as can the columnist.
Cynics might write them off as people who scribble on the backs of advertisements. There are very few of people who carry as much influence as the challenging publish and be damned columnist. They wish.
Michael Walsh: European and UK newspaper and magazine columnist. His EUphoria column reflects life in the European Union. He welcomes putting similar or negotiable to international media in return for advertisement area or modest fee.
