The structure, production routines, and political functions of editorials in contemporary journalism

Abstract

The manuscript proposes a theoretical overview of editorial journalism in the contemporary media landscape by addressing aspects ranging from definitions to its alleged political effects. We also discuss the characteristics and routines driving the production of editorial texts in different journalistic cultures–a topic less considered in current research. At first, the manuscript explains how the division between news and opinion contributed to journalism’s emergence as a social field–a debate that deserves more attention since the scholarship has traditionally put opinionated journalism in the background. We then highlight the typical structure of editorial pieces, as well as the procedures and criteria generally considered in their construction. Next, the article analyzes the relationship between editorial journalism and the political arena. Finally, we reflect on the relevance of the media’s opinions in a digital environment. In addition to updating the debate on editorial journalism, the manuscript is relevant as historical and conceptual support to journalists’ training.