In Focus

A news article tells the facts about an event or issue—what happened, where, when and why—without adding opinions. It’s meant to inform readers.

An editorial is different because it shares opinions or thoughts about a topic. It’s meant to make readers think or understand the writer’s point of view.

So, a news article reports the news, while an editorial is an opinion that talks about what the writer thinks about a topic.

These days, everyone has an opinion—and everyone wants to share it. But too often, those opinions are based on assumptions instead of facts. Jumping to conclusions about people or situations usually doesn’t help anyone.

From keyboard warriors who read a headline and automatically know everything, to those who just heard something in passing and continue to pass it on as a rumor, assumptions can be harmful. They can make someone look bad, twist a situation or start unnecessary drama. Once people start talking, rumors can spread fast—sometimes faster than the truth. In a small town, a single misunderstanding can hurt reputations and trust for a long time.

The best way to avoid this? Pause and ask questions. Listen to the full story, check the facts and don’t assume you know everything. When we take the time to really understand what’s going on, we can move from the point of arguing to actually solving problems.

Nobody wins when assumptions take over. If we focus on being fair, accurate and respectful, our conversations—and our community—benefit.