an introductory article of a newspaper or journal; it is written by an editor or, occasionally, by a contributor.

In the party and Soviet press, leading articles are an important means for propagandizing the CPSU’s policies in all spheres of public life. Leading articles in social and political periodicals interpret and comment on major current events and on the tasks of the domestic and foreign policy of the CPSU and the Soviet government; they also advocate innovations, criticize shortcomings, and point out practical solutions for current tasks of communist construction. The distinguishing trait of leading articles is their making of broad conclusions from individual facts. In specialized newspapers and journals, leading articles usually deal with vital issues concerning development and perfection of the national economy and culture.