“Commentary” or “Opinion” must be clearly labelled if not published in the editorial section.

If you saw the “Local News” section in The Palm Beach Post yesterday (5/29), on page B3, you found commentary about the City of Lake Worth by a reporter that was not labelled. Whether you agree with the reporter or not, commentary and opinion belongs in the editorial section, not in the local news section.

For more about “Commentary” and “Opinion” from The New York Times’ “Clear Thinking, Clear Writing” is this:

“Distinguish between advocacy and news reporting. Analysis and commentary should be labeled. . .”.

And if you think some in the City of Lake Worth are too critical of The Palm Beach Post’s reporting, The New York Times advises that newspapers should. . .

“Encourage the public to voice grievances against the news media.”