NPR Public Editor

Sunday November 5, 2006

NPR Public Editor

Delicate Art of the Interview: Civility vs. Tenacity

by  Bill Marimow

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.

Tuesday October 31, 2006

NPR Public Editor

A Daunting Challenge Awaits NPR Ombudsman

by  Bill Marimow

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.

Monday June 19, 2006

NPR Public Editor

Dear Listeners: Thanks and Farewell

by  Jeffrey A. Dvorkin

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.

Tuesday June 13, 2006

NPR Public Editor

How NPR Covered the Death of a Symbol

by  Jeffrey A. Dvorkin

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.

Monday June 5, 2006

NPR Public Editor

Are NPR Reporters Too Involved in Their Stories?

by  Jeffrey A. Dvorkin

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.

Monday May 22, 2006

NPR Public Editor

Can You Hear Me Now?

by  Jeffrey A. Dvorkin

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.

Monday May 15, 2006

NPR Public Editor

Guilt by Association: The NPR-FOX Connection

by  Jeffrey A. Dvorkin

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.

Monday May 8, 2006

NPR Public Editor

News, Poetry and 'Negative Capability'

by  Jeffrey A. Dvorkin

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.

Tuesday May 2, 2006

NPR Public Editor

Immigration and the Uses of Personal Journalism

by  Jeffrey A. Dvorkin

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.

Tuesday April 25, 2006

NPR Public Editor

How to Get on 'Talk of the Nation'

by  Jeffrey A. Dvorkin

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.

Monday April 17, 2006

NPR Public Editor

Listeners Comment on Immigration, Rumsfeld

by  Jeffrey A. Dvorkin

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.

Tuesday April 11, 2006

NPR Public Editor

'Mixed Signals' -- NPR Enters the World of Blogging

by  Jeffrey A. Dvorkin

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.

Monday April 10, 2006

NPR Public Editor

Ombudsman's Quarterly Report for April 2006

by  Jeffrey A. Dvorkin

April 10, 2006 • Ombudsman quarterly report for April 2006

Wednesday April 5, 2006

Opinion

NPR Public Editor

American and Turkish Journalism -- a Comparison

by  Jeffrey A. Dvorkin

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.

Wednesday March 29, 2006

NPR Public Editor

Bouquets and Brainstorms from NPR Listeners

by  Jeffrey A. Dvorkin

March 29, 2006 • The listeners' ombudsman usually writes about listener complaints. But for the sake of balance, he has decided to share listener e-mails that enthusiastically laud and appreciate what NPR does on a daily basis.