COLUMN
Column has been described as an
editorial with a by-line by the journalists. There are many phases of similarities between a column in an
editorial, which makes their distinction and difference, really matter for experts' opinions. They bear close
similarities as far as their form, style and material are concerned. However all the columns
cannot be said to have close similarities with an editorial. It has been
rightly said that column-writing is one -of the most satisfying and rewarding
journalistic exercise or assignment which is equal to personalized journalism.
It is the field where a column writer is invested with sufficient independence
and liberty to write on any topic or subject, with a clear flair of creative approach.
Column can be written on various topics
such as sports, health, law, politics, fashion, media, education, religion and
social problems etc. It’s up to the columnist that what style he want to adopt
for his writing. He may give background analysis with a thoughtful conclusion,
a shade of humor with personal experience (like writings of Ashfaque Ahmed) and
may raise a question for the readers.
Columns' message is always very strong,
both for the readers and people who are connected to the
writing in any way. Hence people prefer
to analyze and react.
Secondly, columns are read by those who
are either the decision-makers or their critics; hence it adds to
the fact that the columns are most
powerful part of any newspaper.
At Present-day:
Columns are mostly political, which is
due to the political situation of the country.
Nevertheless people are writing on other
subjects, which are of common interest.
Columnists become known over a short
period of time depending upon the subject choice, language,
ideas and their wisdom beside other
attributes.
While writing a column over a period of
time, the best of the writers comes out in the columns, which is
another reason for the popularity of the
columns and columnists.
News can be one-sided version at time,
but analysis, criticism, and solution given in the columns are
definitely presenting a well-rounded
picture. Due to this reason, columns are considered to be the highly
opinionated write-ups. However,
balancing factors are always there to have better write-ups
Scope and Importance for a newspaper
Analysis from the foregoing study and
examination of the nature and definition of the column-writing, we can analyze
the following essentials and basic points which go into the forming of a
column.
Column-writing can be equated with the
concept and practice of personal journalism of the past.
Columns are written on a multitude of
subjects, with a natural skill of conversation and a direct address to the
readers without any midway.
It can be said that any subject is a
suitable subject for the columnist.
Under a column, different news,
announcements, and information can be gathered. Columns are really the concise
and precise rather pointed comments on the news of the day. Column may include
in its range the
humour, criticism, judgments,
observations, philosophies etc.
Columns are the unique devices of direct
contact and address with the general masses, as being the most modern and
sophisticated form of personal journalism of the past. These are the decorating
pieces of the
newspapers and hold the position of
permanent topics and subjects.
Column-writing is a unique form of
lively journalism, and is easily attuned to the information, instruction,
address, entertainment and amusement,
guidance, enlightenment of the readers.
Columns are of multi-purpose nature and
can include diverse writings on national and international topics
and subjects, social and cultural
issues, literacy and light subjects, economic and political subjects besides
humorous writings, and sarcastic
writings, which were replaced, by the serious subjects.
