Los Angeles Times Launches Sunday 'Current,' a New Approach to Opinion Journalism
July 08 2005 - 2:34PM
PR Newswire (US)
Los Angeles Times Launches Sunday 'Current,' a New Approach to
Opinion Journalism LOS ANGELES, July 8 /PRNewswire/ -- On Sunday,
July 10, the Los Angeles Times will launch Current, a fundamental
redesign of the traditional Sunday Opinion section offering readers
an energetic mix of thought-provoking essays, columns and bold
graphic journalism. "The new title and handsome redesign put the
finishing stamp on changes that we've been developing for six
months," said Bob Sipchen, Current's editor. "In many ways, our
mission remains the same as it's always been: To engage readers in
incisive analysis and discussion of the week's events and to stir
robust debate of the ideas and issues that affect their lives. But
that hasn't stopped us from shaking up the way we go about that
mission." The launch of Current and evolving changes on the
Editorial and Op-Ed pages are part of The Times' effort to redefine
opinion journalism, both in print and on the Web, and to more
actively engage readers in discussions of current issues and
events. Current's website, http://www.latimes.com/current, will
have original Web features to complement the print edition and
encourage lively interaction. Starting Sunday, the site will
feature a Supreme Court nomination blog. Current's bold approach to
graphic design reflects the provocative, edgy mix of new features
and columns. The cover will be a weekly surprise, ranging from
smart opinion essays written by some of the world's best thinkers
and writers to vividly colorful graphic interpretations of issues
by top-flight political artists. Inside pages and back cover will
contain stand-alone pieces and once-only elements including maps
and charticles, which combine graphic elements and text to present
information as clearly and vividly as possible. In addition to
provocative essays of various lengths that span the ideological
spectrum, the following regular and rotating columns will appear: *
Joel Stein: "Love Your Work," a regular column on Hollywood and
America's culture of entertainment. * Edited E-Altercation: One
issue, two thinkers. Current brings them together for a spirited
e-mail debate. * The Faith Front: In alternate editions, talk radio
host Dennis Prager and USC religion scholar Diane Winston take
pointed, opinionated looks at religion's influence on culture. *
Accountability Corner: Ex post facto scrutiny of pundits'
predictions, in chart form. Note to chattering classes: You will be
held responsible. * Word Watch: A spotlight on newsmakers or the
media or both who abuse their verbal license. * Shelf Life: In
illustrated chart form, we comment on books about Iraq or a
sampling of stale documentaries. * Panel Discussion: Pulitzer
Prize-winning cartoonist Joel Pett searches the world for the
week's sharpest cartoons, and offers incisive commentary. * Outside
the Tent: A rotating stable of writers offer their criticism of The
Times. * Mediavore: A synthesis and critique of the week as fought
out in magazines, radio, and television or on the Internet. Each
week, a biased observer offers their narrowly focused take on the
good, bad and critically important issues as covered in a specific
medium or across media. * Found item: Brief verbatim transcripts
taken from wherever we find them. * News Quiz: Usually
tongue-in-cheek but sometimes serious, this feature lets us come at
a news event or newsmaker from any angle we choose. * The Burning
Question: The one question that's on everyone's mind in a given
week -- say, the Nuclear Option -- is addressed by a Times
correspondent or panel of correspondents. * Debriefing: A Times
reporter or editor offers an inside take on a small and, we hope,
intriguing aspect of the journalistic trade. The Los Angeles Times,
a Tribune Publishing company, is the largest metropolitan daily
newspaper in the country and the winner of 37 Pulitzer Prizes,
including two this year. The Times publishes five daily regional
editions, including the Los Angeles metropolitan area, Orange and
Ventura counties, the San Fernando Valley, and an Inland Empire
edition covering Riverside and San Bernardino counties as well as a
National edition. Additional information about The Times is
available at http://www.latimes.com/mediacenter. DATASOURCE: Los
Angeles Times CONTACT: Martha Goldstein of Los Angeles Times,
+1-213-237-3727, Web site: http://www.latimes.com/current Web site:
http://www.latimes.com/mediacenter
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