10 Facts About Editorial Boards

Your strategic communications plan should include editorial board meetings.

1. An editorial represents the views of the publisher and the paper.
2. An editorial is not the same as a news story.
3. News departments produce articles. Editorial boards release editorials.
4. Editorial boards are comprised of the publisher, editorial board writers, columnists, and in some instances, community members.
5. Editorial boards write editorials to reflect the views of the publisher or outlet. They also publish opinion essays to reflect perspectives of guest writers.
6. In a physical paper, editorials are on one side of the publication and opinion editorials or opinion essays, appear opposite the editorial page.
7. Editorial boards are not required to accept requests for editorial board meetings.
8. If an editorial page editor grants an editorial board meeting, there is no timeline for them to issue an editorial, and there is no guarantee they’ll write one at all.
9. If an editorial page editor agrees to hold an editorial board meeting on your issue, the meeting may not necessarily include all members of the editorial board. Some members may be busy, traveling or uninterested.
10. If granted an editorial board meeting, be prepared to tell the board something they do not already know. Offer context and information that hasn’t been publicly released.

BONUS: There are at least 5 possible outcomes from an editorial board meeting. Learn more here.

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