Chicago Sun-Times to return to “Liberal, Working-Class” stance

Posted by Mica Swyers on July 12, 2007 at 9:52 AM

Despite its change to a conservative slant in the 1980’s under Rupert Murdoch’s brief ownership, The Chicago Sun-Times has unrolled plans to return to its liberal-leaning roots.

On July 10, Publisher John Cruickshank, Editor-in-Chief Michael Cooke, and new Editorial Page Editor Cheryl L. Reed unveiled a redone Commentary section announcing the tabloid’s anticipated shift. “We are returning to our liberal, working-class roots, a position that pits us squarely opposite The Chicago Tribune—that Republican, George Bush-touting paper over on moneyed Michigan Avenue,” explained Reed.

To “reflect the ethnic and social diversity” of Chicago, the paper will add new seats to the editorial board, said Reed. And for enhanced transparency, there are plans to release a list of board members and the names of editorial authors.

To encourage the Sun-Times’ image change, new columnists will join the team, which has previously included some very conservative non-staff regulars. Stephen Huntley, the previous Editor of the Editorial Page, will soon write a column expressing his conservative opinions with “a more liberal or libertarian” stance on hot-button issues such as abortion, gay rights, and embryonic stem cell research.

Other changes include a new branding strategy, featuring the slogan “Let’s get into it.” In addition, the tabloid is embracing user-generated content by soliciting more reader contributions in its editorial page and on its Web site.

Source: Editor & Publisher through Journalism.org