NPR Public Editor Open Forum by Edward Schumacher-Matos June 21, 2012 • Want to post a comment about something we're not covering? Here's a space for readers to share their thoughts about media, policy and NPR's journalism.
Ethics An Open Letter To A Former Guantanamo Chief Prosecutor by Edward Schumacher-Matos June 15, 2012 • A story is not about you, but you feel tarred by implication. Should NPR and the news media add a clarification to the Web story for the record and posterity? The case of a former Guantanamo chief prosecutor raises possibilities and problems. We need a public consensus.
Media Artfully Writing About Sex Abuse By Catholic Priests by Edward Schumacher-Matos June 5, 2012 • When religion correspondent Barbara Bradley Hagerty reported that rape accusations against a priest were "not that unusual," she rightly confessed to writing "inartfully." But a complaining Catholic organization could have been more humble in its attack, given the facts of abuses by priests.
Language Pass The Chicha, But Hold The Slurs by Edward Schumacher-Matos May 24, 2012 • A recent music review sought to describe the Peruvian sound of the Brooklyn band Chicha Libre. Some listeners, however, didn't find the "lowlife" description funny. The reporter and producer apologize.
NPR Public Editor Open Forum by Edward Schumacher-Matos May 23, 2012 • Want to post a comment about something we're not covering? Here's a space for readers to share their thoughts about media, policy and NPR's journalism.
Fairness & Accuracy Eight Days of Same-Sex Marriage (The Coverage) by Edward Schumacher-Matos May 14, 2012 • From Biden and Obama's announcements to Romney's graduation speech, interviewees favoring gay marriage outnumbered those opposed 3-2 on NPR. Anti voices are needed, but history made it rightfully a pro week. The bigger question: what should NPR's values be going forward? Gay rights is a defining issue.
Ethics ALEC, Common Cause And Peter Overby: When Is The Past Past? by Edward Schumacher-Matos May 4, 2012 • Reporter Peter Overby worked for a Common Cause magazine 18 years ago. He too rosily labeled it a "good government" group in stories on ALEC, the conservative business-legislator organization. But the stories were fair, disclosure of Overby's past was adequate, and the attacks on the messenger leave standing the message on ALEC's tax status.
Language Six National Leaders And Experts Look At Diversity At NPR by Edward Schumacher-Matos April 30, 2012 • Paul Delaney, Mike Honda, Rhonda Levaldo Janet Murguía, Charles Murray and Michael Schudson give their views on how NPR is doing against different measures. They respond with insight, frustration and even humor. The goal is for NPR to sound like America.
Ethics The Online Roulette of Music and Corporate Sponsors by Edward Schumacher-Matos April 27, 2012 • We all love NPR music. In honor of its highly independent staffers, its time to run a permanent ethical disclaimer on all NPR.org's cultural pages saying that because of technical inevitabilities, ads and reviews on the same album, book or movie occasionally run next to each other.
Opinion Fairness & Accuracy Stay-At-Home Moms And The Right Way to Correct a Mistake by Edward Schumacher-Matos April 25, 2012 • In a recent Weekend Edition Sunday segment, Mara Liasson unintentionally suggested that stay-at-home moms lack higher education. She quickly saw her error and the staff corrected later broadcasts of the story. A correction was posted on the web version and, a week later, the show aired a letters segment with additional clarification.
NPR Public Editor Open Forum by Edward Schumacher-Matos April 25, 2012 • Want to post a comment about something we're not covering? Here's a space for readers to share their thoughts about media, policy and NPR's journalism.
Fairness & Accuracy The Raw Milk Debate And Drinking From A Goat's Teat by Edward Schumacher-Matos April 20, 2012 • A light piece by food commentator Bonny Wolf sparked strong responses from those for and against the growing movement to sell and drink raw milk. Science, culture and changing social mores create a moving target. Then there are the Saharan camels and Colombian goats.
Fairness & Accuracy Mideast Report: January – March 2012 by Edward Schumacher-Matos April 18, 2012 • An independent review of NPR's Mideast coverage by former foreign editor John Felton. Coverage focused on Iran's nuclear program and he found it to be generally accurate and fair. Some minor errors and a Robert Siegel interview with an Israeli ambassador were exceptions.
Ethics Minority Hiring And The Talent Pool: A Good Story by Edward Schumacher-Matos April 11, 2012 • NPR's staff reflects the talent pool of college-educated racial and ethnic minorities. Blacks have an even higher representation. Is this measure enough? This post separates out an update I also added to an earlier column on race, ethnic and NPR.
Ethics Black, Latino, Asian And White: Diversity At NPR by Edward Schumacher-Matos April 10, 2012 • After a series of messy mishaps, NPR isn't doing badly when it comes to racial and ethnic diversity in its coverage and staffing. Management is trying to do better.