OPINIONS COUNT.

This article discusses the importance and value of opinion pages in newspapers. It explores the debate within the news community about distinguishing opinion pages from straight news and whether news outlets should invest in editorial pages. The article features insights from opinion editors at The Dallas Morning News, The Charlotte Observer, and the Chicago Sun-Times, who discuss their processes for selecting and publishing opinion pieces. They emphasize the importance of factual accuracy, fairness, and local relevance in opinion writing. The article also highlights the role of opinion pages in sparking dialogue and providing diverse perspectives on local and national issues. [Extracted from the article]