Opinions: Dissecting an opinion

 by Mike Pelton
 published on Wednesday, April 9, 2008

I did something very, very wrong: I pissed off my grandparents.

Yes, I'm talking about those sweet and lovable old people who will let you sneak in an extra cookie before dinner after your mom said no.

Last week, I wrote an article about Sheriff Joe Arpaio, and I explained why I dislike him. I received a lot of support for my candidness and detail, but I also received a lot of negative feedback with people such as my grandparents thinking that I wasn't being "objective."

In response to my grandparents' claim that I shouldn't have gone after someone as prominent and respected as Arpaio … tough. Media laws give us the right to "fair comment and criticism" of a prominent figure. I am aware that my article wasn't necessarily fair, but Arpaio falls under "prominent."

I respect Arpaio. In my article last week I never said I didn't respect him or that I was willing to defy or denounce the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office. All I shared were my opinions on how he is as a sheriff.

My grandparents noted that I should not be going after prominent, respected men such as Arpaio. I thought about this; maybe it is the generation gap and us "kids" are not mature enough to be "respectful."

But then I realized that it isn't any sort of generation gap — it's my job.

I would like you to look in the upper left-hand corner of this page … it says "Opinion." Most newspapers have an opinions section. The New York Times, for example, has an opinions section. This is not a new concept.

I am an opinions writer for The State Press. I am not a news writer. If I were reporting the news, as I do for television, I would be completely objective, fair and present both sides of a story, leaving any sort of editorial or opinion out of my story.

But that isn't my job here — I am not writing the news. I am commenting on it and giving my views on what I feel strongly about. If you have any questions about that, see the definition of "opinion."

Now, for those who dislike this section of the paper because, for whatever reason, you think it hurts journalistic integrity, consider this: Newspapers want responses, and the best way to generate a response is to write an opinion. If you disagree with us, which we certainly welcome, share your thoughts.

Do so by sending an e-mail to the columnist you disagree with, or write to the newspaper and have your side and your views expressed in the "Letters to the Editor" section of the paper. This page is supposed to generate debate, and that cannot happen if everyone agrees with you.

If you still disagree, then don't read the opinions section. It isn't the front page and it's labeled.

Mike can be reached by e-mail at: michael.pelton@asu.edu.