archive

February 28, 2012 NPR is constantly hammered for allegedly being liberal, but last week I met with Ralph Nader to hear his complaints. He thinks NPR is not just too conservative, but that what liberals it does have on the air are too middle-of-the road. How can I measure this?

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February 17, 2012 E.J. Dionne and David Brooks debated the issue of religious freedom versus the Obama Administration's insurance mandate and both sided with the Catholic bishops. But as some listeners complained, neither is a woman. We looked at the gender voices in all of NPR's coverage on the issue. Read on.

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February 10, 2012 A listener compares the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II to the Jewish Holocaust under the Nazis and raises the question of what to call the camps used in both experiences. At stake is the power of words in framing our actions, past and future.

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February 9, 2012 NPR stories feature warnings if the producers believe some listeners will find the content offensive or inappropriate for children. But one listener questions whether NPR is just prudish about sex. We review the last six months and get a response from the senior producer in charge.

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January 31, 2012 A biology professor pleas for a return to the proper use of "data" as a plural noun. But in the world of ever-changing language and fashion, is it too late to turn back time? If we could find a way....

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January 27, 2012 A Morning Edition report said that the Arab Spring "uprising" in Bahrain has "definitely failed." Yet, unrest continues. So is the "revolution" over? Or are reports of its death greatly exaggerated? The newsroom is divided. Join the discussion.

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January 20, 2012 Sure, reporters should correct false statements by politicians and others, but that is not always possible on daily deadline stories. So what to do? The NYT ombudsman has been widely mocked for asking, but many of the critics know not of what they speak. Journalism has gotten better, not worse.

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January 20, 2012 A selection of reactions to last week's post about whether NPR should correct a report about Iran's nuclear program. I said no—and stand by that conclusion—but many still disagree. Where do you fall in the debate?

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January 12, 2012 It's only January, but according to a recent survey many Americans think the 2012 presidential campaign is getting too much coverage. Judging by our inbox, many of you think so. We even got a break-up letter from a listener.

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January 10, 2012 As Rick Santorum's campaign has surged, so has Dan Savage's re-definition of his name on Google. NPR reported on the issue, but one listener thought the piece was inappropriate, and contributed to Savage's agenda. I sympathize, but don't agree.

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January 6, 2012 Mitt Romney may have come in first but got no delegates in the Iowa caucuses. So one discriminating listener says no one can be declared a 'winner.' NPR's Political Junkie, Ken Rudin, answers. Just when you thought you were caucused out.

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January 4, 2012 A legendary sports commentator missed contexts on violent hazing by historically black marching bands and on end zone preening by mostly black professional football players. But criticizing another racial culture is OK. It all depends on how, and where you think we are as a nation in racial relations.

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December 20, 2011 Stories on the new Catholic liturgy prompted complaints that Catholicism is over-covered. Islam, Judaism and Christianity were in fact mentioned much more this year. A monthly average of three stories mentioning the denomination practiced by a quarter of all Americans doesn't seem out of line.

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