The steadfast mission of a journalist is to inform honestly, fairly and without bias. However, this mission is often questioned. Readers express feelings of frustration, anger and even betrayal when they read material they think abandons truth and masquerades as objective fact in order to push personal agendas.

We all know that publications like this exist, but the average American newspaper does strive for the truth, and not just one version of it. If that's the case, why are readers still losing faith?

Part of the answer must lie in this observation: A growing number of readers are unable to distinguish between news article and opinion piece.

According to Ernst-Ulrich Franzen, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel deputy editorial page editor and journalism instructor at Marquette, opinion and news have "entirely different" purposes.

News articles aim at objectively reporting what happened and must be absent of opinion, pre-existing attitudes and biases and the personal recommendations of the author, Franzen said.

Editorials, written by the newspaper's editorial board, present an informed opinion to influence people or change their minds about a certain viewpoint, he said.

Some wonder why the newspaper's opinion is valid, especially since objectivity in news content is so important. Franzen said a newspaper does not exist in a vacuum and must participate in the community of which it is a member.

"We present informed opinion and further the debate," he said of the editorial board's contributions. "Editorial writers have time to evaluate the issues and weigh the different and competing interests to conclude what's best for the community."

As a member of the Marquette community, the Tribune strives to build upon the news stories we offer. We give you the facts and write editorials to further the existing debates on campus.

We give you, our readers, opportunity to have your voices heard in the Viewpoints section, which is one of the most-read sections of the paper. This allows the staff to stay in touch with the community we live and study in and lets you participate in a discussion we hope addresses valid concerns of this community.

Jackie Palank is the managing editor of The Marquette Tribune. She can be reached at (414) 288-5610 or at [email protected]. The Newsroom Insider is published every other Tuesday.

This article was published in The Marquette Tribune on September 13, 2005.