One of the reasons for this is that “many of the best writers go off to books or magazines,” or that “the best reporters often wind up on investigative teams,” wrote Corr.

For those good reporters who do go on writing columns for the city desk, two changes have diminished the importance of their role.

One is that newspapers run more columns, to carry more voices in its coverage. But this “dilutes the audience for any one writer.” Further diluting this audience, local bloggers are increasingly competing with city columnists.

The second reason is that “the whole notion of the "city" has been broadened to include the suburbs, whose residents may not care about doings in the central town,” wrote Corr. This seems to contradict the growing trend of hyperlocal news, but may be true in larger metropolitan areas.

So at a time when the aura of metro columnists seems to be dimming, here are Corr’s tips for good metro coverage:

- Have something to say: a basic point, but “there are many opinion writers who assemble facts that lack a point,” wrote Corr.
- Courage: some criticisms are easy. It’s harder to tackle conventional wisdom.
- Get out of the office: should be obvious, but many columnists are increasingly pinned down to their desks.
- Show range: “The worst columnists get stuck on a few subjects.”
- 750 words or less: self-explanatory.

Source: Crosscut.com through Poynter Romenesko