Some listeners last week were concerned that NPR had done 8 stories or segments on air about the murder of Dr. George Tiller, a well-known Kansas doctor who performed abortions, and none on the murder of Army Pvt. William Long, 23.

Update:The Project for Excellence in Journalism determined that last week, the story of Tiller's death was most popular on blogs and in social media.

Long was killed on June 1 -- the day after Tiller's death -- outside an Army recruiting center in Arkansas, allegedly by a Muslim convert. Another soldier was wounded.

"I am trying to find a news story on your site regarding the murder of private Long," wrote Marko Horb of Holbrook, NY last Friday. "But you do not seem to be reporting on the story. May I ask why?"

Horb is correct that none of NPR's news shows, such as Morning Edition or All Things Considered, had done a story on Long's death as of last Friday. But NPR did carry news spots about Long during newscasts that run throughout the day. Kelly McNeil of member station KUAR filed a spot on the shooting on June 1 and a follow-up spot the next day.

NPR also posted two Associated Press stories about Long's death on npr.org. and a note on NPR's news blog, The Two-Way, which didn't mention the name of the man who allegedly shot Long.

User Sean Carroll commented on the blog: "I find it odd how you missed reporting this: "Little Rock Police Chief Stuart Thomas identified the suspect as Abdulhakim Mujahid Muhammad, a 21-year-old African-American man who had changed his name from Carlos Leon Bledsoe after converting to Islam. I can't believe that people as 'Ethical' as NPR would ever knowingly 'Forget' to include facts in a story."

Frank James, who wrote the post, said not including his name was an oversight. He also noted that he did a post last Thursday on the alleged shooter, who was charged with the crime but has pleaded not guilty.

NPR Managing Editor David Sweeney defended last week's coverage decisions.

"The fact we gave more coverage to the killing of Tiller doesn't diminish the value of Long's life," said Sweeney. "But Tiller was a national figure given his practice and the attention he drew from abortion opponents. His killing has wider implications for the emotive debate on abortion on this country and we have covered those angles in reporting his death."

In one example, Morning Edition on June 5 carried a story exploring whether a 1994 law is sufficient to protect abortion providers.

In Private Long's case, NPR National Editor Steve Drummond added: "This story has grown into more of a national story as the news has come out this week and it became clear that federal authorities have been investigating this guy and that he may have had much broader plans for violence. We are pursuing some reporting out of the FBI that may result in a piece on Monday [June 8] with help from the member stations covering Long's funeral."

Drummond wrote that on June 5. All Things Considered on June 9 did two stories. One featured Long's funeral and another focused on the FBI's encounter with Abdulhakim Mujahid Muhammad in Yemen. Muhammad is accused of killing Long.

On Tuesday, however, Morning Edition and All Things Considered each carried one story centering on Tiller's death. And Talk of the Nation explored the topic of doctors deciding whether to perform abortions.

categories: How journalism works

6:32 - June 9, 2009

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