How opinion journalism injects colour into stories that fly under the radar

Our comment section not only sheds new light on the news, but explains why readers should be interested in stories that – at least at first glance – bore them

Every newspaper and news website runs stories that are known among reporters as “dull but worthy”. These are the reports of real, important social, political and administrative significance but dry in detail, tough to bring to life and, frankly, tedious to work on – what former Guardian editor Alan Rusbridger refers to in his memoir as “eat your peas journalism”.

Nevertheless, journalists have a responsibility to make readers pay attention to boring things that actually matter. This is where opinion columns can help.

As comment editor, I spend my mornings seeking out writers whose own experiences bring some colour and context to a matter that readers might have skimmed over in our news section.