The editor who oversees The New York Times' Op-Ed page says the explosion of opinion and commentary on the Web has not diluted the power of newspaper columns.

“It is certainly a fair argument,” Deputy Editorial Page Editor David Shipley said, referring to claims of a Web takeover. “But there is a desire for quality and fact-based opinion or fact-checked opinion or reasoned opinion. I don't think it is as dire as some people think.”

Shipley made the comments as the Times prepares to celebrate the 40^th anniversary of its Op-Ed page, which will occur on Sept. 21. He claims the paper broke new ground in newspapering when it launched the page, giving up a page of news for the opinion pieces that get their name from the page's position: Opposite editorial.

“It was significant in the Times - to get that back page shifted over to the editorial department,” Shipley recalls. “It seemed significant because they would take this incredibly valuable page and turn it over to voices from outside.

”We forget what a powerful voice the Times was at the time. It is still powerful, but today everyone thinks they invented interactivity. This was a highly interactive enterprise."

The newspaper is planning a special section to honor the anniversary, which Shipley says will be on a Sunday in September yet to be determined. He said staffers have combed through some 14,000 pages of columns dating back to 1970 and will choose a handful to reprint in the special section.

“It is not going to be chronological - the decision is to make it thematic,” Shipley said, offering no hint of what will be chosen. “We have been trying to winnow it down.”