Edward Schumacher-Matos http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=137030436&ft=1&f=137030436 Edward Schumacher-Matos is the ombudsman for NPR. en Copyright 2013 NPR - For Personal Use Only NPR API RSS Generator 0.94 Thu, 18 Apr 2013 17:42:00 -0400 http://media.npr.org/images/npr_news_123x20.gif Edward Schumacher-Matos http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=137030436&ft=1&f=137030436 Mideast Report: January — March 2013 An independent review of NPR's Mideast coverage by former foreign editor John Felton. He found the coverage to be generally accurate and balanced, but chided NPR for relying too much on Washington-based experts to explain events in Israel and the Palestinian territories. Thu, 18 Apr 2013 17:42:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/ombudsman/2013/04/18/177816678/mideast-report-january-march-2013?ft=1&f=137030436 http://www.npr.org/blogs/ombudsman/2013/04/18/177816678/mideast-report-january-march-2013?ft=1&f=137030436 An independent review of NPR's Mideast coverage by former foreign editor John Felton. He found the coverage to be generally accurate and balanced, but chided NPR for relying too much on Washington-based experts to explain events in Israel and the Palestinian territories.

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]]> Just Tell Me When It's Over: Play-By-Play Coverage In Selecting The New Pope Many listeners complain that for the last month NPR has been "all Catholic radio, all the time." Our review finds that the story count has indeed been overwhelming. But in a comparison among religions and denominations, Catholicism is unique in size, institutional organization and global influence. Now that we have Pope Francis, however, a news break might be nice. Fri, 15 Mar 2013 14:56:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/ombudsman/2013/03/14/174333906/just-tell-me-when-it-s-over-play-by-play-coverage-in-selecting-the-new-pope?ft=1&f=137030436 http://www.npr.org/blogs/ombudsman/2013/03/14/174333906/just-tell-me-when-it-s-over-play-by-play-coverage-in-selecting-the-new-pope?ft=1&f=137030436 Many listeners complain that for the last month NPR has been "all Catholic radio, all the time." Our review finds that the story count has indeed been overwhelming. But in a comparison among religions and denominations, Catholicism is unique in size, institutional organization and global influence. Now that we have Pope Francis, however, a news break might be nice.

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]]> The Dangers Of Dope-Smoking Ascetics in Kathmandu A newscast report designed to give a break to the papal coverage instead offended Hindu listeners. The complaints underscored the danger of being tempted by exoticism. The sirens here were naked Nepalese ascetics smoking weed. Thu, 14 Mar 2013 17:07:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/ombudsman/2013/03/14/174329710/the-dangers-of-dope-smoking-ascetics-in-kathmandu?ft=1&f=137030436 http://www.npr.org/blogs/ombudsman/2013/03/14/174329710/the-dangers-of-dope-smoking-ascetics-in-kathmandu?ft=1&f=137030436 A newscast report designed to give a break to the papal coverage instead offended Hindu listeners. The complaints underscored the danger of being tempted by exoticism. The sirens here were naked Nepalese ascetics smoking weed.

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]]> Elderly, Old Or Aine: Three Provocative Takes On A Label Of the many responses to my post on what to call people over 60 (or 70, 80 or 90), the three responses repeated here stand out for their expressiveness — or in the case of <em>Morning Edition</em> sports commentator Frank Deford, for just being downright ornery. Or maybe wise. You might be stimulated to add your own. Thu, 14 Mar 2013 16:32:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/ombudsman/2013/03/14/174331705/elderly-old-or-em-ain-em-three-provocative-takes-on-a-label?ft=1&f=137030436 http://www.npr.org/blogs/ombudsman/2013/03/14/174331705/elderly-old-or-em-ain-em-three-provocative-takes-on-a-label?ft=1&f=137030436 Of the many responses to my post on what to call people over 60 (or 70, 80 or 90), the three responses repeated here stand out for their expressiveness — or in the case of Morning Edition sports commentator Frank Deford, for just being downright ornery. Or maybe wise. You might be stimulated to add your own.

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]]> Let Me Live Long, But Don't You Dare Call Me Old When the headline on the Web version of a recent story called an active, 71-year-old midwife "elderly," she was offended. The reporter, meanwhile, asked for advice on what words to use. A check with experts finds division. Maybe, live forever and avoid labels? Please advise (about the labels). Tue, 12 Mar 2013 12:02:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/ombudsman/2013/03/12/174097925/let-me-live-long-but-don-t-you-dare-call-me-old?ft=1&f=137030436 http://www.npr.org/blogs/ombudsman/2013/03/12/174097925/let-me-live-long-but-don-t-you-dare-call-me-old?ft=1&f=137030436 When the headline on the Web version of a recent story called an active, 71-year-old midwife "elderly," she was offended. The reporter, meanwhile, asked for advice on what words to use. A check with experts finds division. Maybe, live forever and avoid labels? Please advise (about the labels).

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]]> '5 Broken Cameras' And Blaming The Victim On The West Bank Psychologists find that in experiencing a news story on a divisive issue, we all hear the arguments supporting the <em>other</em> side more than our own. We thus tend to see bias, often wrongly. Was this the case in a story about a Palestinian documentary filmmaker working near Israeli settlements on the West Bank? Fri, 08 Mar 2013 10:15:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/blogs/ombudsman/2013/03/04/173457628/5-broken-cameras-and-blaming-the-victim-on-the-west-bank?ft=1&f=137030436 http://www.npr.org/blogs/ombudsman/2013/03/04/173457628/5-broken-cameras-and-blaming-the-victim-on-the-west-bank?ft=1&f=137030436 Psychologists find that in experiencing a news story on a divisive issue, we all hear the arguments supporting the other side more than our own. We thus tend to see bias, often wrongly. Was this the case in a story about a Palestinian documentary filmmaker working near Israeli settlements on the West Bank?

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]]> Fear And Trust At 'The Washington Post' A cost-cutting, face-saving move by the <em>Post</em> to replace its independent ombudsman with what sounds like a customer care representative is sadly shortsighted. It contributes precisely to the decline in public trust that lies behind the travails at the <em>Post</em> and all American news media. NPR in polls confronts the same trust malady. The press grows in power, yet sheds ever more controls. Editors will never investigate themselves. The public rebels. Fri, 01 Mar 2013 22:37:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/blogs/ombudsman/2013/02/28/173175403/fear-and-trust-at-em-the-washington-post-em?ft=1&f=137030436 http://www.npr.org/blogs/ombudsman/2013/02/28/173175403/fear-and-trust-at-em-the-washington-post-em?ft=1&f=137030436 A cost-cutting, face-saving move by the Post to replace its independent ombudsman with what sounds like a customer care representative is sadly shortsighted. It contributes precisely to the decline in public trust that lies behind the travails at the Post and all American news media. NPR in polls confronts the same trust malady. The press grows in power, yet sheds ever more controls. Editors will never investigate themselves. The public rebels.

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]]> Did I Hear What I Thought I Heard? When a remark about the NRA by a sports commentator was edited out of later re-broadcasts and the Web edition, some listeners questioned NPR's editing policies. We asked the newsroom to explain this edit and the policy in general. What technology giveth, it taketh away. Fri, 08 Feb 2013 16:47:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/blogs/ombudsman/2013/02/08/171495384/did-i-hear-what-i-thought-i-heard?ft=1&f=137030436 http://www.npr.org/blogs/ombudsman/2013/02/08/171495384/did-i-hear-what-i-thought-i-heard?ft=1&f=137030436 When a remark about the NRA by a sports commentator was edited out of later re-broadcasts and the Web edition, some listeners questioned NPR's editing policies. We asked the newsroom to explain this edit and the policy in general. What technology giveth, it taketh away.

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]]> When Reporting From An African 'Village' Is Imperial Arrogance – And Not NPR has been covering the recent conflict in Mali from on the ground. But when a listener heard several places being called "villages," she asked why the images of primitiveness. NPR's West Africa correspondent answered. Thu, 07 Feb 2013 11:56:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/blogs/ombudsman/2013/02/07/171321237/when-reporting-from-an-african-village-is-imperial-arrogance-and-not?ft=1&f=137030436 http://www.npr.org/blogs/ombudsman/2013/02/07/171321237/when-reporting-from-an-african-village-is-imperial-arrogance-and-not?ft=1&f=137030436 NPR has been covering the recent conflict in Mali from on the ground. But when a listener heard several places being called "villages," she asked why the images of primitiveness. NPR's West Africa correspondent answered.

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]]> Asking Permission Or Recording History When Photographing Grief NPR's photo blog has started a remarkably considered conversation over the ethics of taking a moving Newtown picture of a woman praying in grief. The woman and the photographer — each sympathetic — weigh in. The blog's debate over trade-offs is worth expanding to a wider public. Mon, 28 Jan 2013 22:11:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/blogs/ombudsman/2013/01/28/170498842/asking-permission-or-recording-history-when-photographing-grief?ft=1&f=137030436 http://www.npr.org/blogs/ombudsman/2013/01/28/170498842/asking-permission-or-recording-history-when-photographing-grief?ft=1&f=137030436 NPR's photo blog has started a remarkably considered conversation over the ethics of taking a moving Newtown picture of a woman praying in grief. The woman and the photographer — each sympathetic — weigh in. The blog's debate over trade-offs is worth expanding to a wider public.

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]]> Allowing Hagel To Be Called 'Anti-Semitic' On NPR Should NPR air inflammatory name-calling such as "racist," "homophobic" or "anti-Semitic" of a public figure when the proof is thin? A case involving Elliott Abrams and President Obama's nominee for secretary of defense, Chuck Hagel, raises questions about journalistic fairness, audience intelligence and American character. Sun, 27 Jan 2013 13:42:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/blogs/ombudsman/2013/01/27/170398305/allowing-hagel-to-be-called-anti-semitic-on-npr?ft=1&f=137030436 http://www.npr.org/blogs/ombudsman/2013/01/27/170398305/allowing-hagel-to-be-called-anti-semitic-on-npr?ft=1&f=137030436 Should NPR air inflammatory name-calling such as "racist," "homophobic" or "anti-Semitic" of a public figure when the proof is thin? A case involving Elliott Abrams and President Obama's nominee for secretary of defense, Chuck Hagel, raises questions about journalistic fairness, audience intelligence and American character.

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]]> Mideast Report: October — December 2012 An independent review of NPR's Mideast coverage by former foreign editor John Felton found NPR to be generally accurate, balanced and commendably cautious. However, much of the coverage failed to provide enough context. Questions like "Why is this happening now?" and "What does this mean for the future of the Middle East?" should have been asked more frequently. Fri, 18 Jan 2013 13:52:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/blogs/ombudsman/2013/01/18/169709096/mideast-report-october-december-2012?ft=1&f=137030436 http://www.npr.org/blogs/ombudsman/2013/01/18/169709096/mideast-report-october-december-2012?ft=1&f=137030436 An independent review of NPR's Mideast coverage by former foreign editor John Felton found NPR to be generally accurate, balanced and commendably cautious. However, much of the coverage failed to provide enough context. Questions like "Why is this happening now?" and "What does this mean for the future of the Middle East?" should have been asked more frequently.

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]]> Bringing The President Down A Notch: NPR Ends Calling Him 'Mr.' Your complaints are heard. Or at least those of some of us. The NPR newsroom announced today that it will no longer refer on-air to the president as "Mr." in second references. The current president and his successors will be called by their last name, like the rest of us. But his wife is still "Mrs." And when there is a woman president? Oh, the gender conundrums. Thu, 17 Jan 2013 17:45:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/blogs/ombudsman/2013/01/17/169645406/bringing-the-president-down-a-notch-npr-ends-calling-him-mr?ft=1&f=137030436 http://www.npr.org/blogs/ombudsman/2013/01/17/169645406/bringing-the-president-down-a-notch-npr-ends-calling-him-mr?ft=1&f=137030436 Your complaints are heard. Or at least those of some of us. The NPR newsroom announced today that it will no longer refer on-air to the president as "Mr." in second references. The current president and his successors will be called by their last name, like the rest of us. But his wife is still "Mrs." And when there is a woman president? Oh, the gender conundrums.

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]]> Gaining Or Losing Credibility By Humanizing A Reporter: A Kwanzaa Story Pushed by social media mores, we demand to know ever more about reporters online. But when <em>Morning Edition</em> went mainstream with innocent revelation, including a reporter's lack of information, listener complaints underlined the perils of the practice. We have no guidelines for a rapidly changing media world. Mon, 07 Jan 2013 15:44:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/blogs/ombudsman/2013/01/04/168644973/gaining-or-losing-credibility-by-humanizing-a-reporter-a-kwanzaa-story?ft=1&f=137030436 http://www.npr.org/blogs/ombudsman/2013/01/04/168644973/gaining-or-losing-credibility-by-humanizing-a-reporter-a-kwanzaa-story?ft=1&f=137030436 Pushed by social media mores, we demand to know ever more about reporters online. But when Morning Edition went mainstream with innocent revelation, including a reporter's lack of information, listener complaints underlined the perils of the practice. We have no guidelines for a rapidly changing media world.

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]]> Getting It Right: Sandy Hook And The Giffords Legacy At NPR Listeners debate the extent to which NPR should be in the live news business, but what really stood out all week in the Sandy Hook coverage is the remarkable accuracy and ethical restraint. The lessons of the Gabrielle Giffords debacle nearly two years ago have been well absorbed. Internal staff memos during the first day and a half of Sandy Hook are an example of how to do it right. Sat, 22 Dec 2012 10:41:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/blogs/ombudsman/2012/12/21/167828109/getting-it-right-sandy-hook-and-the-giffords-legacy-at-npr?ft=1&f=137030436 http://www.npr.org/blogs/ombudsman/2012/12/21/167828109/getting-it-right-sandy-hook-and-the-giffords-legacy-at-npr?ft=1&f=137030436 Listeners debate the extent to which NPR should be in the live news business, but what really stood out all week in the Sandy Hook coverage is the remarkable accuracy and ethical restraint. The lessons of the Gabrielle Giffords debacle nearly two years ago have been well absorbed. Internal staff memos during the first day and a half of Sandy Hook are an example of how to do it right.

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