COVERING THIRD-PARTY CANDIDATES

Recently some listeners have expressed concerns that NPR is overlooking third-party presidential candidates Bob Barr (Libertarian), Cynthia McKinney (Green Party) and Ralph Nader (Independent).

They argue that NPR's focus on Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama prevents alternative presidential contender views from being heard.

For example, listener Stephanie Bowman writes: "It is NOT NPR's job to filter what the public should and should not hear," she wrote. "NPR, as well as all media outlets, has an obligation to provide the American people ALL of the information available regarding their options in the 2008 election.

"I feel that there is a media blackout regarding these candidates. Their polling and platforms must be presented alongside Obama and McCain. If NPR does not have the integrity to present the facts in an unbiased way and allow the American people to make their own decisions, who will?"

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3:13 PM ET | 07-29-2008 | permalink | trackbacks (0)

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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.

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2:15 PM ET | 07-14-2008 | permalink | trackbacks (0)

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SHOULD NPR INTERVIEW RELATIVES OF STAFF MEMBERS?

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.

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12:19 AM ET | 07- 3-2008 | permalink | trackbacks (0)

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