Alicia C. Shepard : NPR

Alicia C. Shepard Alicia C. Shepard joined NPR in October 2007. In 2000, NPR was the first U.S. broadcast news organization to create an Ombudsman position.

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Alicia C. Shepard

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NPR Ombudsman

What to Think about Think Tanks?

April 12, 2011 • It drives listeners crazy when NPR doesn't clearly identify a think tanks' mission or point of view. Too often, a think tank uses a non-descriptive name that tells listeners nothing.

NPR Ombudsman

Local Station Pulls Planned Parenthood Spots

April 11, 2011 • An NPR member station pulled Planned Parenthood funding spots. Some questioned whether NPR had ordered the spots off the air. Not true. Read on.

NPR Ombudsman

Wait Wait: In This Case, Please Do Not Tell Me

March 28, 2011 • NPR's news entertainment show, Wait Wait Don't Tell Me made fun of conservative columnist Michelle Malkin. Normally, she's fair game but as it happens, her family is in the midst of a personal crisis. A simple Google search would have made a difference.

Opinion

NPR Ombudsman

No One Seems To Be Taking Care Of NPR

March 9, 2011 • NPR's former executive Ron Schiller was originally hailed as a savior to NPR, but has hurt public radio's financial heart. Now both he and NPR's CEO Vivian Schiller are gone.

NPR Ombudsman

NPR Tightens Commenting Rules And Juan Williams Praises Public Radio

March 4, 2011 • NPR has stepped up its comment moderation with the goal of a more civil discussion. And Juan Williams praised public radio on Ohio station WOSU. Read on.

NPR Ombudsman

NPR Struggling with Crude Behavior by Some Users of Its Website

February 18, 2011 • NPR recently took down vicious comments made on NPR blogs about CBS Corespondent Lara Logan's recent attack in Cairo. Why do people feel so free to deride others on the Internet? NPR plans to try to reign in the ugliness.

Opinion

NPR Ombudsman

Israel's Side Missing From Story on Palestinian Village

February 8, 2011 • NPR ran a story about a Palestinian village nearly surrounded by Israeli settlements that claimed Israeli mistreatment. But didn't get Israel's side of the story.

Audio Gallery: Behind The Scenes At Talk Of The Nation

Neal Conan during a Talk of the Nation show. Wayne Huang/NPR hide caption

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Wayne Huang/NPR

NPR Ombudsman

Audio Gallery: Behind The Scenes At Talk Of The Nation

December 21, 2010 • Take a peek behind the scenes at NPR's only "live" show: Talk of the Nation. This audio slide show describes how the two-hour show is put together and what challenges it faces each day.

NPR Ombudsman

Should You Be Suspicious Of Your Dentist Or NPR's Source?

November 8, 2010 • NPR ran a story about peoples' irrational attachment to their dentist -- but it also included information that was bound to make one suspicious of his or her dentist. NPR relied on tenured professor who couldn't back up his claim.

NPR Ombudsman

NPR Should Start A National Conversation on Muslims

October 29, 2010 • NPR abruptly firing Juan Williams hurt member stations, NPR staff and NPR's reputation. One way to salvage a bad situation would be for NPR, member stations and affiliated shows to begin in the next months thoughtful conversations about Muslims.

NPR Ombudsman

NPR Employees And Political Rallies: Facts Behind The Controversy

October 15, 2010 • NPR sent a memo Wednesday advising its staff not covering the Jon Stewart-Stephen Colbert rallies on Oct. 30 to stay away. Why the fuss?