NPR: NPR Ombudsman

The Ombudsman is the public's representative to NPR, serving as an independent source regarding NPR's programming.

Her column will be posted weekly. Feel free to comment in the space below each entry.

We also invite you to sign up on the right side of the page to get the column emailed directly to you.

July 14, 2008

HOW SHOULD NPR COVER A CONTROVERSIAL IRANIAN RESISTANCE GROUP?

The calls started pouring in from Iranian-Americans all over the country within hours after Morning Edition aired two stories about an Iranian opposition group that is little-known in the United States.

The 50-some calls came from San Francisco, Honolulu, Phoenix, Milwaukee and Washington, D.C., among other places.

The callers were polite, well-spoken and said they were calling as individuals not associated with any organization. They repeatedly said how much they admire NPR, and that they routinely give money to their public radio stations.

Even if their calls were part of a campaign, that doesn't invalidate their complaints.

Continue reading "HOW SHOULD NPR COVER A CONTROVERSIAL IRANIAN RESISTANCE GROUP?" »

July 3, 2008

SHOULD NPR INTERVIEW RELATIVES OF STAFF MEMBERS?

“ She is actually an aunt of one of our reporters.”

During this heated political season, Day to Day interviewed a relative of an NPR staffer for a controversial segment highlighting a Sen. Hillary Clinton supporter who won't back Sen. Barack Obama in November.

Listeners didn't know at the time of the interview that Atlanta attorney and author Barbara LeBey is the aunt of NPR correspondent Laura Sydell. But what they did know was that they didn't like what LeBey had to say about the presumptive Democratic presidential candidate.

Continue reading "SHOULD NPR INTERVIEW RELATIVES OF STAFF MEMBERS?" »

Tags: Barbara LeBey | Laura Sydell | Obama

June 30, 2008

NO 'SPOILER ALERT' FOR SPORTS

“That's because NPR considers sports as news and treats it as such, by reporting it as it happens.”

When an NPR newscaster announced the winner of the French Open Semi-Finals on June 6, our office received a few emails from not-amused tennis enthusiasts. These fans were upset that a spoiler alert wasn't given.

Continue reading "NO 'SPOILER ALERT' FOR SPORTS" »

June 20, 2008

SEXIST LANGUAGE

A recent piece on Morning Edition told the story of a smart, powerful woman who rose to the top ranks of Lehman Brothers, only to be demoted six months later when the investment firm posted a $2.8 billion quarterly loss.

After a newsy introduction read by host Steve Inskeep, the June 13 piece began this way:

"Blonde, beautiful and outspoken, the spotlight loved Erin Callan. Fortune magazine called her one of four women to watch," said NPR business reporter Yuki Noguchi. "Callan cut a striking figure in her crochet-style dress, gold dangling earrings and high-heeled boots."

Continue reading "SEXIST LANGUAGE" »

June 12, 2008

LISTENER SOUND OFF June 12, 2008

“ If I have any objection, it is to saying what does "Hillary" want rather than "Sen. Clinton." Journalists should refer to the former presidential candidate using her honorific, and not by her first name. Doing so shows a lack of respect. -- Alicia C. Shepard”

LISTENER SOUND OFF: Occasionally the office will publish a "Sound Off," where the Ombudsman responds to listener inquiries. These letters often address important issues which many NPR listeners might be interested in. Included in this feature are the reactions and input from NPR staff involved in producing news.

Today's "Sound Off" features listener comments regarding NPR's coverage of Dennis Kucinich's proposal to impeach President Bush, correspondent location sign-offs and Senator Clinton's speech on June 3 .

Continue reading "LISTENER SOUND OFF June 12, 2008" »

June 5, 2008

DOES THE WORLD NEED MORE NEWS OMBUDSMEN?

“"The public likes to know there's somebody there listening to their criticisms," said PBS Ombudsman Michael Getler. "An Ombudsman makes news organizations live up to their own standards. An editor is too close."”

STOCKHOLM -- The "Readers' Editor" for The Observer of London was sightseeing here last week when his cell phone rang. It was a Kenyan journalist asking how his newspaper company might create the role of a news Ombudsman.

In the last decade, Kenya has enjoyed a surge in press freedom, a trend that's paralleled the opening up of Kenya's political system. One of the best testaments is the phone call from the editorial director for the Nation Media Group, who wanted an Ombudsman for his papers in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and two other countries in East Africa.

Continue reading "DOES THE WORLD NEED MORE NEWS OMBUDSMEN?" »

May 28, 2008

THE GIANT POOL OF MONEY

Clarence Nathan was a man with three part-time jobs who earned about $45,000 a year, and yet a bank loaned him $540,000. The bank never checked his income.

"I wouldn't have loaned me the money, and nobody that I know would have loaned me the money," Nathan said. "I mean, I know guys who are criminals who wouldn't lend me that money, and they'd break your kneecap."

But this kind of lending happened, over and over again since 2003, leading to the mortgage crisis that has disrupted the global economy.

How did this mess happen? Through the news media you can pick up bits and pieces. But how many people really understand the housing crisis, why Bear Stearns went under, or sub-prime mortgages, or why the rest of the world was pulled under too?

Continue reading "THE GIANT POOL OF MONEY" »

May 19, 2008

WHEN LISTENERS WANT TO SEND MONEY TO PEOPLE IN STORIES

“As a human being, I want to help and channel listeners' good will," Westervelt said. "As a journalist, it's not my role and we don't have a mechanism to help. ”

After hearing an NPR piece about a man who risked his life to sneak into the U.S. to earn money for a sick daughter, Kathy Khazen wanted to do something.

So did about 20 other listeners from around the country.

The story of Julio Cuellar was compelling. When Cuellar learned his pregnant daughter had cancer, he knew he needed more money than he earned as a low-paying policeman in El Salvador. He hired a smuggler and tried to get to the U.S. But he didn't make it.

"Julio has diabetes and nearly died in the Arizona desert," NPR Correspondent Jennifer Ludden reported on April 7. "He ran out of insulin and became sick, and his smuggler abandoned him. It was two days with no food or shelter before he was rescued by the U.S. Border Patrol. What would make someone do this -- especially a middle-aged man with a full-time job? Julio's daughter, Guadalupe, blames herself."

Ludden and producer Marisa Penaloza discovered Cuellar at the airport in El Salvador just after he was deported from the U.S. He'd lost 40 pounds, felt humiliated, and was behind on payments for his two-bedroom house.

Then came the emails and phone calls from listeners after the story aired.

Continue reading "WHEN LISTENERS WANT TO SEND MONEY TO PEOPLE IN STORIES" »

May 16, 2008

WHY HASN'T MY COMMENT BEEN POSTED?

Many comments are not posted because of length (over 200 words) or because they don't relate to the issue in that column.

In the past I have made exceptions and posted comments, but let's stay on topic. Think of it this way -- if you hosted a book club meeting at your house, you wouldn't want someone to show up and insist on discussing reality TV shows.

Now that the column is in its 5th month, I'd like to offer a gentle reminder to refer to our Discussion Guidelines. I'd encourage you to keep them in mind while posting in the future.

Thanks and happy reading,
Chantal de la Rionda
Office of the Ombudsman

May 12, 2008

IS "THE INFINITE MIND" AN NPR SHOW?

“Was this the "Pentagon Pundits' Problem" all over again? ”

UPDATE on May 20, 2008: The Infinite Mind has added an Underwriting page after the recent criticism and added fuller disclosure about a guest.

NPR is a complicated news entity.

It produces 59 hours of original news programming each week heard across the public radio system, the best-known of which are Morning Edition and All Things Considered. Then, it distributes 18 shows such as Car Talk, The Diane Rehm Show, and Fresh Air, which local public radio stations or independent producers create without any direct NPR editorial control.

And then there are other shows on NPR's three channels on Sirius: NPR, NPR Talk, and NPR Now. Some shows are produced by NPR, some are simply distributed by NPR and some are independently produced.

Got that?

Continue reading "IS "THE INFINITE MIND" AN NPR SHOW? " »

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