About the PD’s Editorial Page

Here at The Press Democrat, we often receive questions concerning our editorials and the selection of letters and columns that appear on these pages. In the spirit of transparency, and in hope of encouraging reader participation, here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions we receive.

Who decides the paper’s editorial positions?

The Editorial Board consists of Sonoma Media Investments CEO Steve Falk, Editorial Director Paul Gullixson, Assistant Editorial Director Jim Sweeney and two Community Members who serve for six-month terms. Our current community members are Oscar Pardo, a Santa Rosa attorney, and Paul Berlant, the former city manager for Windsor and Sebastopol. Gullixson and Sweeney write the majority of our editorials. The full board meets on a weekly basis to discuss potential editorials, meet with community leaders and build consensus on what positions to take on key issues.

Does the newsroom participate in planning editorials or taking positions?

No one in the newsroom assigns or writes editorials, and no one from the editorial pages assigns, reports or edits news articles.

Are the opinion pages open to everyone?

Yes. We publish letters to the editor each day, and we frequently publish Close to Home opinion columns written by local readers. Our Close to Home authors are usually individuals with a particular expertise or background in the subjects they write about.

How do I submit a letter?

Letters should be no more than 200 words long and must include the names, addresses and phone numbers of no more than two authors. Only the authors’ names and hometowns appear in print. Letters should be sent to letters@pressdemocrat.com. We prefer to receive letters via email - and they are more likely to be published -because they don’t need to be retyped. Close to Home columns also should be sent to letters@pressdemocrat.com.

Do you publish letters that express views contrary to the paper’s editorial stance?

Absolutely. In fact, we encourage contrary views. The opinion pages are intended to be a community discussion, reflecting a spectrum of viewpoints.

Who chooses the columns that appear in the paper?

The editorial director and assistant editorial director are responsible for the daily selection of columns and letters. The full Editorial Board is frequently consulted particularly when it involves Close to Homes or changing our selection of regular columnists.

Do you select columnists and cartoonists who only reflect the newspaper’s views?

Not at all. As with picking letters, our goal is to publish voices from across the political spectrum. Regular columnists include such conservatives as George Will and Charles Krauthammer and liberals such as Paul Krugman and Gail Collins. We also often include columnists who focus on California issues, including George Skelton of the Los Angeles Times and Dan Morain of the Sacramento Bee. Editorial cartoons also reflect a range of views. We offer work from such conservatives as Lisa Benson and Gary Varvel and such liberals as Tom Toles and David Horsey. We also frequently offer cartoonists who focus on California, including Benson and Tom Meyer.

How do I contact the Editorial Board?

Our phone numbers and email addresses are listed in the “Contact Us” box below.