opinions are freely expressed by the newspaper on general or specific issues of the present or of the past. Editorials in Bermuda should stimulate discussion or guide public opinion or offer an alternative view. That is true of editorials in most of the world's free press.

An editorial column expresses the newspaper's views on any issue. Those views are not gospel nor are they infallible. Not everyone is going to agree with the paper's views, nor should they. This newspaper has opinions on Bermuda's politics and on what it thinks is good or bad for Bermuda just as it has strong opinions on other issues, its strong support for the environment being a good example. Let us say that in the recent election the editorial views were supported by at least half of Bermuda's people.

There seems to be a lack of public awareness over two general aspects of newspaper editorial opinion.

The first misconception is that the editorial column and the news pages are the same, which is totally incorrect.

The second is that The Royal Gazette 's editorial opinion always directly reflects the personal views of its Editor, which is also incorrect. Firstly, the public does not always differentiate between the left side of Page Four, which is the newspaper's editorial opinion, and the news.

Controversial or non-controversial, good or bad, the editorial opinion is only that, an opinion. Just as individuals have opinions which you agree with or object to, so the newspaper should be agreed with or objected to.

During the election some politicians worked hard to confuse Royal Gazette news and Royal Gazette opinion in the mind of the public. It was to their advantage because they were seeking personal gain and some even decided to run against The Royal Gazette because they saw it as easier than running against the Government record. In doing that, they chose to compound the confusion between the Page Four Editorial and the news columns.

Any paper is free in its editorial column to express its opinion and the public can accept or reject those opinions or argue back in Letters to the Editor. What a newspaper must do is seek balance in the news pages and do its best to keep those columns free of opinion. We are pleased with the way we succeeded at that during the election and that fairness has been recognised by politicians, including Progressive Labour Party leader Mr. Frederick Wade.

While our editorial opinion was strong it was just that, opinion, and we believe that our news columns were balanced and fair.

Secondly, the editorial column does not necessarily reflect the personal opinion of the Editor of The Royal Gazette . It is and should be the paper's opinion. Taking the issues into account, the editorial should reflect what is seen as best for Bermuda. The view of the paper has to be thought of as what The Royal Gazette sees as the best general view on a subject for Bermuda.

Agree if you like. Object if you like.