Winter 2012, new articles

Feb. 23, 2012

Sunshine is for everyone
Advocates pile on the robo-turf
Editorial endorsements? To stop, or keep? Why? (Updated 5/3/12 Charlotte Observer takes back an endorsement)
Civilitas project update
Why one editor left the digital cesspool
What another told readers about civic engagement
Statement of Principles republished
Recent related article: Illogical is uncivil
This editor's note

    This is the first issue since the National Conference of Editorial Writers became the Association of Opinion Journalists. The transitions of website content and members' habits will take some time.

    Content of The Masthead now will be freely available online. However, only members of AOJ/NCEW will be allowed to comment on the organization's website and only after the site gets the overhaul that is under way.

    Member log-in already has other advantages, of course. You can pay dues, find other members, join our superb online discussion list, find other resources for members, learn about and then preregister for the State Department briefing (D.C., April 23) and convention (Orlando, Sept. 20-22) and more.

    If you are a member and have misplaced your log-in or need a password re-set, please ask for help from Lisa Strohl at HQ aoj@pa-press.org.

    If you are not a member, please take a look at the membership links on the main page. Both our old and new addresses work: http://ncew.org.or http://opinionjournalists.org

    The web lets us publish anytime; we have done that and will do it again. Now, it seemed fitting to assemble a package. To send the editor a brief email (without uninvited attachments, please) john.r.mcclelland@gmail.com.

 John McClelland was photographer-reporter, columnist, and various kinds of editor at community and mid-sized daily newspapers in the Midwest and South for 22 years; he has taught journalism at Roosevelt University in Chicago since 1989, now emeritus (mostly retired).

 ABOUT THE MASTHEAD

NCEW, born in 1947, began a mimeo journal in 1948. For most of the next five-plus decades, The Masthead was a quarterly magazine for members and subscribers (including several research libraries). The transition from print to online publication began in 2010 and continues with updating of this site under the organization's new name and broader focus, Association of Opinion Journalists, in 2012.

    AOJ's high-quality magazine will offer you some of the industry's most valuable writing about opinion writing - entertaining, provocative, always helpful. Its content is now available to anyone on this website; when the site update is completed, AOJ members will be able to comment online. This is a site in transition. Contacts: national staff (manager Lisa Strohl) or editor John McClelland.

    Our online publication's first years featured four key areas:

     •  Features: Key articles that are highly relevant to the times.

     •  Symposium: Big issues, problem solving tips, award-winning editorials, and more.

     •  The Civility Project: Writers weigh on social issues and industry questions.

     •  General: Organizational news and information from AOJ leaders.

View recent articles

Through opinionjournalists.org you will have access to all the articles featured in Masthead before anyone else. Also on this site you will find exclusive online articles and resources that are sure to inform.

The Masthead, published since 1948-49 by the National Conference of Editorial Writers, now the Association of Opinion Journalists. Winter 2012 published February 23, 2012, at opinionjournalists.org and updated April 24, 2012 (c) 2012 AOJ