Opinion journalism is, as the name suggests, a style of journalism where the journalists offer their personal opinion, analysis or interpretation of the events being reported upon.
By sharing their own personal stance on the given topic, the journalist aims to persuade or influence public opinion to some degree.
Which Topics Attract Opinion Journalism?
Really, opinion journalism can be used in articles on any subject, but it is particularly common when talking about things like politics, social issues or the environment, according to The Week.
Anyone who feels like they have the right personality for journalism may consider pursuing a journalism degree offered by specialists such as https://schoolofjournalism.co.uk/ to gain the experience and training needed.
Why Is Opinion Journalism Used?
Publications may choose to include opinion journalism because it allows them to argue a case and to challenge norms. While some organisations, such as the BBC, will present factual and objective news content, other publications may choose to add in an opinion piece to try and influence their readers’ opinion.
It’s also a way of giving a voice to different viewpoints surrounding a topic – including marginalised or minority opinions. Opinion journalism is also a great way of sparking healthy debate, such as by encouraging readers or listeners to add their own viewpoints. You could argue that this is even a key part of a healthy democracy and a key component of free speech.
Opinion journalism is also a powerful tool for holding governments and other organisations accountable for their choices.
