NPR Public Editor

Tuesday November 25, 2008

NPR Public Editor

Should NPR Run Funding Credits from the Department of Homeland Security?

by  Alicia C. Shepard

November 25, 2008 • Whenever NPR's Talk of the Nation dips into the topic of immigration, the national call-in show's telephone board lights up like a Christmas tree.

Wednesday November 12, 2008

NPR Public Editor

The New President is Black

by  Alicia C. Shepard

November 12, 2008 • Why do your programs consistently refer to Obama as "black," when he is the son of a black man and a white woman? He could just as easily be referred to as white. Why refer to his skin color at all? If you are referring to more than skin color, w

Monday November 10, 2008

NPR Public Editor

Live Chat: NPR's Coverage Of The Election Season

by  Eyder Peralta

November 10, 2008 • The election is over. But NPR's audience is still registering its frustration over NPR's presidential coverage. In an experiment, I will be conducting my first online chat about media bias in the election. I encourage participants to read the prev...

Monday November 3, 2008

NPR Public Editor

When It Comes to Core Beliefs, Bias is Everywhere

by  Alicia C. Shepard

November 3, 2008 • Is NPR's presidential coverage biased? NPR's Ombudsman studied two months of presidential campaign coverage. When it comes to core political beliefs, even scientific research may do little to persuade many complaining listeners that NPR isn't bias...

Monday October 6, 2008

NPR Public Editor

Balancing the Newscasts

by  Alicia C. Shepard

October 6, 2008 • During this edge-of-the-seat presidential race, listeners are paying particularly close attention to NPR newscasts for balanced coverage. Is NPR meeting listeners' expectations and how can it do a better job?

Friday October 3, 2008

NPR Public Editor

Changes on the Column

by  Alicia C. Shepard

October 3, 2008 • Last week, NPR began a new social media community. It will give you a chance to participate more fully in NPR's journalism, and allow you to comment on every NPR story posted on the web. It presents an opportunity for all parts of the NPR communit...

Friday September 26, 2008

NPR Public Editor

Cutting Off Interviews Isn't as Rude as It May Sound

by  Alicia C. Shepard

September 26, 2008 • Some listeners think it's rude when a host cuts off a live interview. But in reality, the host is just trying to work within the constraints of a strict NPR radio time clock.

Thursday September 25, 2008

NPR Public Editor

Biden Coverage vs. Palin Coverage

by  Alicia C. Shepard

September 25, 2008 • UPDATE: Adding Nina Totenberg's Sept. 29 profile of Joe Biden.

Tuesday September 23, 2008

NPR Public Editor

NPR is NOT Running a Poll on Sarah Palin

by  Alicia C. Shepard

September 23, 2008 • UPDATE 9-25: Read What PBS Has to Say about Its Poll. See Below.

Friday September 5, 2008

NPR Public Editor

NPR Should Disclose Pay Websites When Mentioned on Air

by  Alicia C. Shepard

September 5, 2008 • NPR did a piece about a dietary supplement that promises to be as effective as cholesterol-lowering drugs. The story mentioned a Website that tested red rice yeast supplements and found purity levels varied greatly. A listener didn't like it when ...

Tuesday September 2, 2008

NPR Public Editor

NPR Rescues Its Missing Corrections Policy

by  Alicia C. Shepard

September 2, 2008 • For a long time, NPR appeared to have a lax approach to acknowledging mistakes, and correcting them. Now, a new policy is helping NPR be more transparent about its mistakes, and thus more accountable to its audience.

Monday August 11, 2008

NPR Public Editor

AWAY ON VACATION

by  Alicia C. Shepard

August 11, 2008 • I will be out of the office until Aug. 26 and away from my computer. Please feel free to leave comments and/or questions. I look foward to hearing from you.

Monday August 4, 2008

NPR Public Editor

NPR LEARNS FROM A MISSTEP ON ITS WEB SITE

by  Alicia C. Shepard

August 4, 2008 • No matter the medium, every news organization in America is trying now to figure out how to survive and thrive in the online world.

Tuesday July 29, 2008

NPR Public Editor

COVERING THIRD-PARTY CANDIDATES

by  Alicia C. Shepard

July 29, 2008 • Recently some listeners have expressed concerns that NPR is overlooking third-party presidential candidates Bob Barr (Libertarian), Cynthia McKinney (Green Party) and Ralph Nader (Independent).

Monday July 14, 2008

NPR Public Editor

HOW SHOULD NPR COVER A CONTROVERSIAL IRANIAN RESISTANCE GROUP?

by  Alicia C. Shepard

July 14, 2008 • The calls started pouring in from Iranian-Americans all over the country within hours after Morning Edition aired two stories about an Iranian opposition group that is little-known in the United States.