In numerous letters to the editor that we have received recently I have noticed something interesting. Many people do not know the difference between actual articles and the opinions pieces that run within the opinions section. So I thought I would try and clarify.

Articles

Articles are always researched. They have sources who provide information about whatever the topic may be. Reporters strive to be as unbiased as possible. In fact, reporters are not supposed to put their own opinions into articles, unless they’re writing movie or food reviews. They put aside their own emotions in order to make sure that they are telling both sides of the story. Articles go through a lot of people who edit and form them into what they need to be. They are the meat and potatoes of The George-Anne.

Opinions

In our opinions section we run letters to the editor and opinions pieces/columns. Though these are occasionally written by members of The George- Anne staff or Student Media, the bulk of them are guest columns. This means that for the most part, the Opinions Section is written by students like you. They are biased, emotional, misinformed or educated, serious or comedic. Generally they do not take into account what the other side may be and they don’t have to, because they are personal OPINIONS. They are the specific thoughts of that columnist, and unless they have the title of “Our View,” they aren’t even the thoughts of the editorial board of The George-Anne.

But the most important thing I want you to know is that there is a little box we have that runs on one of the opinions pages in this section that tells you a lot of important information. It tells you not only how to submit a letter to the editor or guest column, but also that everything within these two pages DOES NOT necessarily reflect the opinions of the GSU community or the University System of Georgia. And how could it? How could five columns every issue and a comic possibly contain the views of all us? Heck, I run the section and I don’t even agree with everything that is written, but I respect the right of everyone to have their own views and voice.