Columnists Should Offer More Than the Unsubstantiated Opinions of Social Networks

08/15/2016 - 14h30

One of the most important and longest running sections of Folha completed 40 years of existence in 2016. With no pomp or ceremony, on June 22nd, 1976, it showed up for the first time on page 3 of the "Tendencies/Debates" section.

Chief Editor Cláudio Abramo wanted to oxygenate Brazilian public debate and the pages of the newspaper with ideas and discussions advanced by people who weren't part of its workforce.

And from that moment on one of the strongest characteristics of Folha was established. To harbor writers and columnists representing the social, political, economic and cultural spectrum, in order to qualify a journalism that bills itself as nonpartisan, pluralistic and independent.

Throughout its 95 years, Folha has made available more than one-hundred columnists to its readers. If those who write for the digital version of the newspaper are included, this number reaches 130.

It's not a coincidence that comments about columnists take second place in terms of frequency in themes raised by readers that write to the Ombudsman. They vary between 10% and 15% of all messages received per month. They are second place only to those referring to themes published in the "Politics" section.

The debut of Senator Vanessa Grazziotin (PC do B-AM) as a columnist on page A2 on Tuesday (the 2nd) set off a series of protests. Some were convinced that the newspaper was aligning itself with the anti-impeachment group.

She took over the space in substitute of congressman Marcelo Freixo (PSOL), who is now a candidate for Mayor of Rio. The newspaper doesn't maintain columnists who are running electoral campaigns. The same thing happened with Senator Marta Suplicy (PMDB-SP).

Reader Ney José Pereira criticized measures like this: "They are all candidates during their entire party- or political- life. What's the difference (moral, not legal) between an official candidacy or a permanent candidate?"

He also complained about columnists who are serving terms: "Elected politicians have a special tribune in Brazilian Legislatures".

In the other direction, there are recurring complaints that Folha gives privileged attention to those who provoke more scandal and name calling in detriment to those who provoke more reflection and the debate of ideas.

The editorial board assures that it is concerned with reflecting the whole spectrum of dynamic values and preferences of Brazilian public opinion, while avoiding the left/right Manichaeism division. It reiterates that among the criteria used for selecting columnists is an intrinsic quality, representativeness and plurality of themes and ideas.

And it defends legislator-columnists: "It makes sense to give space to legislators and party leaders in some columns, since they actively participate in the debate of public opinion. The newspaper discourages the use of its space for self-promotion, but encourages the promotion of their ideas", reinforces Vinicius Mota, deputy editor.

Also rejected is the idea that columnists are chosen strictly as a marketing strategy.

I agree that there is a great degree of subjectivity in the evaluation of columnists, but some points raised by readers should be taken into consideration by the newspaper in their selection going forward.

I don't believe that there should be a hard and fast rule banning politicians or legislators as columnists. One thing that bothers readers is the pasteurization of the texts that the majority produce.

During the period of super press attachés and permanent electoral campaigns it makes sense to raise the demands for standards of quality, authenticity and veracity in texts produced by these politician-columnists.

The rise of turbulent social networks reveals that it is time to reinvent the opinion pages. There are many paths. We need new filters. There are only 32 women among the 130 columnists. The gender question is only one that presents itself in a multicultural world. The multiplicity of voices goes way beyond right and left.

The privilege of being published in a newspaper with a history like Folha should be bestowed on articles that are more analytical and more journalistically and/or scientifically grounded. Unqualified ideas without supporting facts, self-interested or self-serving unsubstantiated opinion bounces around aplenty and freely on social networks.

Translated by LLOYD HARDER

Read the article in the original language