NPR Ombudsman archive
Mission and Mandate: The Ombudsman at NPR
November 29, 2007 The Ombudsman is the public's representative to NPR, serving as an independent source of information, explanation, amplification and analysis for the public regarding NPR's programming. In October 2007, journalist, author, media critic and educator Alicia C. Shepard began a two-year appointment as Ombudsman for NPR.
Delicate Art of the Interview: Civility vs. Tenacity
November 5, 2006 The ombudsman dissects Steve Inskeep's Oct. 25 interview with Sen. Rick Santorum, which spurred accusations of bias from some listeners. With the benefit of the written script and 20-20 hindsight, Bill Marimow and Inskeep review the 7 minute and 46 second interview.
A Daunting Challenge Awaits NPR Ombudsman
October 31, 2006 NPR's new ombudsman Bill Marimow has toiled in the newsroom trenches for 37 years -- both as a reporter and an editor. It's good preparation for his new role as the representative for more than 25 million NPR listeners and the many others who use npr.org.
Dear Listeners: Thanks and Farewell
June 19, 2006 In his last column as NPR Ombudsman, Jeffrey Dvorkin looks back on the six and a half years he spent bridging the gap between NPR listeners and NPR journalists. In July, he'll begin his new job as the executive director of the Committee of Concerned Journalists based in Washington, D.C.
How NPR Covered the Death of a Symbol
June 13, 2006 Reports of the death of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi put NPR into "news special" mode in the early hours of June 8. Other news coverage was thrown out and all available resources were focused on covering the many aspects of that one big story. Some listeners, however, say NPR gave the story too much attention, and for all the wrong reasons.
Are NPR Reporters Too Involved in Their Stories?
June 5, 2006 A long-standing journalistic tradition mandates that reporters restrict themselves to the role of dispassionate and disinterested observers. But these days, stories evoke strong responses from audiences, and journalists seem more engaged. It has sparked concerns among some listeners as to whether NPR reporters are as nonpartisan as they should be.
Can You Hear Me Now?
May 22, 2006 Some listeners say that NPR’s reporting on intelligence-gathering organizations has been biased. The spy agencies, they say, are just "harvesting" telephone numbers and e-mail addresses, running them through computer programs and checking to see whether any patterns emerge that might link to terrorists. In short, they are keeping us safe -- a fact, they claim, NPR doesn’t appreciate.
Guilt by Association: The NPR-FOX Connection
May 15, 2006 Nothing riles some public-radio listeners like NPR journalists appearing on FOX News television programs. That’s because NPR makes every effort to remain nonpartisan, and FOX, it appears, does not. Frustrated public-radio listeners tell me that the NPR presence only serves as cover for FOX’s claim that it is “fair and balanced.” And that frustration is further pumped up by some political blogs.
News, Poetry and 'Negative Capability'
May 8, 2006 Several readers respond to a column addressing whether journalists should reveal their political leanings. The ombudsman challenges the notion that newsrooms are cauldrons of political conspiracy and calls on a newspaperman/poet to illustrate that politics is just one part of the newsroom culture.
Immigration and the Uses of Personal Journalism
May 2, 2006 Immigration is still a major concern for NPR listeners, if my e-mail is any indication. There are a lot of concerned and anxious people. Rumors of a police roundup of undocumented immigrants, the release of a Spanish-language version of the national anthem, a national May 1st immigrant walkout and the possibility that some sort of legislation is in the works, all contribute to listeners' questions and concerns about NPR's coverage.
How to Get on 'Talk of the Nation'
April 25, 2006 Some listeners have been frustrated when they call Talk of the Nation, NPR’s live call-in program, and their questions or comments are rejected. Producers say that listeners can improve their chances of getting on the show by being on topic, having their thoughts organized and by quickly getting to the point.
Listeners Comment on Immigration, Rumsfeld
April 17, 2006 One of the signs at NPR that a news topic has attracted significant listener interest is when the story is given its own place on the NPR Web site. This is certainly the case regarding the question of immigration. The NPR Web site has done a good job of pulling the angles together in one concise place. Some listeners appreciated the coverage, but it raised questions for other listeners.
'Mixed Signals' -- NPR Enters the World of Blogging
April 11, 2006 One of the most interesting and useful developments on NPR’s Web site is the arrival of the NPR blog, called "Mixed Signals." This feature involves an NPR journalist who posts his or her impressions and opinions of what’s going on behind the scenes at NPR News. It includes the responses, impressions and opinions of NPR listeners and Web site visitors.
Ombudsman's Quarterly Report for April 2006
April 10, 2006 Ombudsman quarterly report for April 2006
American and Turkish Journalism -- a Comparison
April 5, 2006 Each year, hundreds of foreign journalists are invited by the State Department to visit newsrooms in the United States, learning about how journalism works in America. Last week, five American journalists and academics (including the NPR Ombudsman), were invited to return the favor by going to Turkey to meet with journalists in Istanbul and Ankara.
