Columnist and Its Types
The Voice That Shapes Public Thought
Columnists play a vital role in journalism by offering personal insights, opinions, and commentary on diverse topics through regular, signed contributions in newspapers, magazines, and digital platforms. Unlike reporters, who focus on neutral fact-based narration, columnists write with personality, interpretation, emotion, and ideology. Over time, they build loyal readerships who follow not just the news, but the mind behind it.
A columnist is not merely a writer — a columnist is a public thinker.
Who Is a Columnist?
A columnist is a writer who contributes recurring opinion-based articles, known as columns, under a consistent byline and title. These columns focus on contemporary issues but with a personal lens rather than strict reporting.
While reporters ask:
“What happened?”
Columnists ask:
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Why did this happen?
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Who is responsible?
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What does this mean for society?
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What should change?
Thus, column writing lies at the intersection of journalism, philosophy, advocacy, criticism, and storytelling.
Historical Evolution of Column Writing
Early Roots
Column writing originated in the 18th and 19th centuries with political essayists like:
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Jonathan Swift
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Thomas Paine
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Edmund Burke
Their persuasive pamphlets shaped revolutions and democratic thinking.
Golden Age of Print Columns
The 20th century transformed columns into permanent newspaper features. Writers became public intellectuals whose weekly thoughts shaped national conscience.
Digital Era Columnists
Today, columnists operate across:
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News websites
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Blogs & Substack
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Medium
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YouTube & Podcasts
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Social media micro-columns
Modern columnists are personal brands, not newsroom dependents.
Core Functions of a Columnist
| Function | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Interpretation | Explains complex events simply |
| Critique | Challenges power, hypocrisy & injustice |
| Perspective | Adds human meaning to facts |
| Influence | Shapes public opinion & culture |
Qualities of a Great Columnist
| Trait | Description |
|---|---|
| Intellectual Honesty | Writes truth even when uncomfortable |
| Independent Thought | Rejects herd mentality |
| Emotional Intelligence | Understands human psychology |
| Ethical Courage | Confronts injustice boldly |
| Narrative Power | Turns ideas into stories |
| Accountability | Owns influence & corrects mistakes |
Major Types of Columnists
1. Political Columnist
Analyzes government, elections, ideology and leadership.
2. Social Columnist
Explores relationships, inequality, culture and moral conflicts.
3. Legal Columnist
Interprets court judgments, laws and constitutional principles.
4. Business & Economic Columnist
Writes on markets, inflation, entrepreneurship and corporate ethics.
5. Technology Columnist
Explains AI, cybersecurity, data privacy and automation.
6. Spiritual & Philosophical Columnist
Guides readers through self-discovery, faith and meaning of life.
7. Satirical Columnist
Uses humor, irony and sarcasm to expose hypocrisy.
8. Motivational / Life Coach Columnist
Inspires readers to overcome fear, failure and self-doubt.
9. Cultural / Entertainment Columnist
Reviews films, books, celebrities and art.
Ethical Responsibilities of Columnists
| Principle | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Truthfulness | Misinformation destroys credibility |
| Non-Defamation | Words can destroy lives |
| Independence | Sponsored opinions corrupt journalism |
| Sensitivity | Writing influences millions |
| Accountability | Mistakes must be corrected |
Columnist vs Reporter
| Reporter | Columnist |
|---|---|
| Fact-centered | Opinion-centered |
| Neutral voice | Personal voice |
| Event-driven | Thought-driven |
| Short-term impact | Long-term influence |
Columnist as Social Conscience
When systems fail, leaders manipulate, and justice is delayed, it is the columnist who:
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Asks forbidden questions
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Speaks for the voiceless
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Records moral history
A columnist does not write news —
they document the soul of a nation.
The Future of Columnism
Tomorrow’s columnists will be:
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Multilingual
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AI-assisted
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Cross-platform
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Global in reach, local in empathy
Yet the essence will remain unchanged:
A thinking human speaking to another thinking human.
A columnist is not a profession — it is a responsibility.
It is courage to write what others fear.
It is wisdom to illuminate, not inflame.
In an age flooded with information, the columnist remains the lighthouse of understanding.
A columnist is a writer who regularly contributes opinion-based articles to newspapers, magazines, or digital platforms, using a distinctive personal voice to interpret events, analyze issues, and shape public thinking rather than merely report facts. Through various types such as political, social, legal, business, spiritual, satirical, and motivational columnists, they address diverse aspects of life, from governance and justice to culture and self-growth. By blending insight with storytelling, columnists act as society’s conscience—questioning power, explaining complexity, and connecting emotionally with readers—making their role indispensable in transforming information into understanding.
A columnist is a writer who uses a distinctive personal voice to regularly interpret events and ideas through opinion-driven articles across fields such as politics, society, law, business, culture, and spirituality, thereby shaping public thought beyond mere news reporting.
Contributed By: Ajay Gautam Advocate: Lawyer / Author / Columnist
