The News Tribune’s Matt Driscoll eats his words and gets a new title
There’s nothing journalists hate more than a correction. Anyone who’s had their byline published also knows the feeling of waking up in the middle of the night in a sweat, fearing you’ve bungled a last name or added an extra zero to an important number.
So it brings me no pleasure to report I’ve got a big one:
In September, I wrote in these very pages that I had agreed to take on the job of opinion editor — on an interim basis. It wasn’t going to last long, I promised. I was simply a fill-in — pinch hitting. I didn’t even want the job, I implied, like I was skipping class and smoking cigarettes on the hood of my Trans Am. It was very cool. Trust me.
As it turns out, that was incorrect.
I mean, in my defense it was accurate at the time, but things change.
This week I dropped the “interim” from my email signature and stepped into the role of News Tribune opinion editor permanently — or at least as long as they’ll have me. Seeing as our kids need shoes (always and forever), I’m hoping it’s for quite a while. I wanted to let you know personally, before the masthead mysteriously changes.
Why is this happening now? For starters, I’ve enjoyed the job more than I thought I would. I’m still writing columns — and the writing has always been most important to me — but getting a chance to shape and lead The News Tribune’s opinion section has also been exciting. Two years of COVID, the general state of the world and the continued mediocrity of the Denver Broncos have all taken their toll. The new challenge has energized me, and provided direction.
For readers, I suppose the good news is you’ve already had a chance to get used to the idea — and seen some of the things I’m now hoping to build on. I’ve learned a great deal from those who have come before me, and I know how vital opinion journalism can be when it’s firing on all cylinders. I also know there’s plenty of room for improvement, and many ways The News Tribune’s opinion pages can better reflect the diversity and heartbeat of Tacoma and Pierce County. It feels like purposeful work.
Most of all, however, I’m continually inspired by my colleagues at The News Tribune, and getting a chance to help bring the paper’s opinion section into the future feels like a small way I can contribute to a team I’m often in awe of. It’s not spilling any great secret to say the recent history of local journalism in Tacoma has been difficult. In my seven years at The News Tribune, I’ve watched friends and mentors walk away from the job and often the industry. But for the first time in a long time, it feels like we’re punching back — and growing. President and Editor Stephanie Pedersen has a vision, and the paper’s recent stellar work — whether it’s breaking news coverage or important watchdog enterprise reporting — fills me with pride. It also provides hope for the future.
So there you have it. While I’ve already been doing this job for several months, I’m eager to dive in even deeper. I sincerely believe there are good days ahead.
As always, you can reach me at matt.driscoll@thenewstribune.com.
As for that column from last September, I regret the error.
