Question of putting Ledger story on front page

Editors discussed whether to promote a Heath Ledger prescription drugs death story to the front page. Was this just another celebrity story, or would it be about the dangers of prescription drug misuse? Copymistress Kat Smith argues that such a story might be old by tomorrow morning, when the interested readers will have already found out by other means. Another editor suggested that running a Ledger story be conditional: If the Associated Press newswire offers a deep issue story, using Heath Ledger’s death as a door to discussion, that could warrant front page placement for tomorrow.

An unrelated sidenote

Managing editor Gary Graham will be back Monday.