This article originally appeared in the Rough Draft print issue, in stands August 2025. It has not been updated and some information may be out of date.
There is a growing concern among Americans about whether they can trust the news.
A memo written by New York Times standards editor Susan Wessling and international editor Philip Pin instructed journalists to avoid phrases such as “genocide” and “ethnic cleansing” when discussing Palestine. Fears of biased news have even appeared in the comments of the Daily Utah Chronicle. In the comments of an opinion piece covering the Kappa Sigma fraternity, one reader sarcastically wrote, “I love how none of the current evidence [in this article] is circumstantial and how this is very one-sided!”
Confidence in institutions is falling. Now, more than ever, we need good opinion journalism. Opinion journalism enables journalists to question and directly challenge powerful institutions.
It’s time for everyone to start reading and writing opinion journalism. Well-researched, well-presented opinion journalism will create a brighter future.
Understanding opinion journalism
The best way to understand opinion journalism is to begin with what it is not.
Opinion journalism is not a blog. Journalists do not write blogs. Opinion journalists prepare well-researched, factual articles.
Opinion journalism is not news. It is not meant to provide an unobjective retelling of events. Opinion journalism is written to engage an audience, explore a different angle and create a dialogue.
Opinion journalism at The Chronicle
I have been a part of The Chronicle’s opinion desk for two years. I’ve experienced working with the opinion desk at all levels of leadership.
In my quick transition into leadership, one glaring fact stood out. My desk was unorganized. The people in charge of me, despite their best efforts, did not understand the type of journalism I or my writers were creating.
In fact, when I became a writer, I didn’t understand what I was creating. I especially did not understand the merit and worth of my work. It wasn’t until I covered my first protest that I finally understood.
The protest was in response to the Young Americans for Freedom hosting a watch party for the transphobic film “Damaged: The Transing of America’s Kids”.
At the protest, I recorded live interviews and watched protestors be pulled out of the room by police for simply refusing to respond when asked a question.
I was unable to participate in chants or hold posters because I was representing the Chronicle. As understandable as this is, it was frustrating to me, as someone who’s spoken my opinion at every protest I’ve ever been to. Then, I remembered the pen in my hand.
The opinion piece I wrote sparked a fire in me.
I felt my voice was reaching people who understood and agreed, and more importantly, those who disagreed. With my research and opinionated statements, I could convince people to change their minds and make a real difference.
Rage against the machine
If you’ve ever found yourself desperate to speak up for others, opinion journalism is the place for you.
In 2019, opinion writer Isaac Reese wrote an article blaming the University of Utah for Lauren McCluskey’s murder. Despite the Daily Utah Chronicle being the U’s student newspaper, student opinion journalists are allowed to challenge the institution. If you’re frustrated about parking, the U’s connection with Ariel University or want to convince your peers to foster a pet, the Chronicle’s opinion desk is the place for you.
The Chronicle isn’t immune to criticism either, and nor should it be.
Graduated opinion journalist Angela Lezaic wrote in her farewell to the Chronicle, “[The] culture in the world of journalism trickles down to students trying to get a foot in the door. It produces cliques in leadership, a constant push to meet endless quotas and the underlying feeling of never doing enough.”
She also called out the pushback she faced when she attempted to write about the struggle for Palestinian liberation.
Opinion journalists have the power to call out the organization that we work for. This opportunity is rare in other forms of journalism and even among other journalistic organizations.
Whether you find yourself reading or writing opinion journalism in your time at the U, I encourage you to remember the impact these pieces have. The Chronicle is not perfect. Neither is any journalist.
But opinion pieces are powerful because the people behind them are transparent, honest and factual. If you join the Chronicle’s opinion desk, you could be a part of this influential, talented group of people.
Opinion journalism is the past, present and future. It is a necessity for journalism and the American people in these trying times.
