In this regard, one must respect the editors' knowledge of their own communities and their readers' ability to assimilate change. What is important, and this must be emphasized, is that color use be appropriate for the newspaper and its community. Italics are difficult to read. Every editor seems to have a built-in catalog of anecdotes to illustrate why italics should never be used. And, last, italics slow down the reading, so avoid them in text.
Italics are unisex.
A feature in sports can wear italics well, but so can that souffle story in the food section. A banner headline in a strong italic font played large will be able to do the job as well as a Roman headline. Size and boldness and the distinction of the type used are more significant than whether the type is italic. Contrast italics with Roman type, or bolder or lighter type nearby, and they make that souffle rise on the page. Add them as a secondary line under a classic Roman face, and there is music on the page.