I think it’s good for students, who might get inspiration from somebody who is an excellent writer.
LOMA LINDA, CA, US: I do not understand Akbar Zaidi’s point in his article where he has opposed writers giving their educational credentials as part of their introductions. Yes, agreed, what matters most is the substance of an article and not the place from where the writer obtained his degree. But still, as a reader one does want to know whom one is dealing with when reading an opinion. For example, if somebody who has been ambassador to China as well as a former foreign secretary, may have insight into a current foreign affairs-related issue that may be markedly different from someone who is, say, a human rights activist.
Besides, just about any reputed newspaper in the West, such as The New York Times, The Washington Post or The Guardian also give a brief introduction of their writers. More importantly, and the writer may disagree with me, I think it’s good for school-going and college students, who might get inspiration from somebody who is an excellent writer and studied at Harvard or Princeton and decide to follow in his or her footsteps. Even if they are not impressed, it increases their general knowledge about the intelligentsia of this country and keeps them well informed. So English papers, and in particular this one, should continue with this practice.
Syed Ali
Published in The Express Tribune, May 12th, 2012.
