Tribune makes room for more opinions

Chicago Tribune

Chicago Tribune

Look for the Chicago Tribune to expand its commentary and opinion section in print and across online and mobile platforms, starting next week.

Tribune editor Gerry Kern announced Thursday the addition of two pages a week to the newspaper’s Perspective section, bringing to four the number of commentary and opinion pages each weekday and five on Sundays. Additional content will be featured on chicagotribune.com/opinion and on the Tribune’s mobile apps.

“Chicago Tribune is a destination for people to learn about the events that shape their communities and, at the same time, serves as a platform for our audience to share ideas that help move the community forward,” Kern said in a statement. “Readers can see this commitment at work in ‘The New Plan of Chicago’ opinion campaign that is providing — with the participation of citizens — a new vision for the future of the Chicago region. Our expanded commentary offering in print and online supports this civic dialogue.”

At a time when other newspapers have reduced or eliminated editorial pages and staffs, the Tribune has been expanding them under editorial page editor Bruce Dold. Last month Dold added veteran editor Lara Weber to the editorial board, where she will focus on the selection and editing of essays, columns, letters and other content.

Tony Hunter, publisher of the Tribune and CEO of Chicago Tribune Media Group, said in a statement: “Our expansion in this arena reflects our commitment to mission-driven journalism, through our continuing investment in premium content – whether through groundbreaking investigations, compelling vertical offerings or rich opinions – that deepens our connection to the audiences we serve and grows our reach across platforms.”

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