Information & the record
editorial
An opinion piece stating a publication's institutional position, produced separately from its news reporting. An op-ed is an outside writer's argument.
In full
Traditional newsrooms separate the editorial board from the news desk so that endorsements and arguments do not direct coverage. Readers frequently encounter both under one masthead and attribute the opinion to the reporting. Labeling exists precisely so the two can be told apart, which is why the label is worth reading.
Also written as: op-ed
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A plain-language explanation for civic education, not legal advice. When in doubt, the official source named above controls.