NPR Public Editor The Public Editor is the public's representative to NPR, serving as an independent source regarding NPR's programming.

NPR Public Editor

WITH POYNTER'S KELLY MCBRIDE

Monday July 30, 2012

NPR Public Editor

Open Forum

by Edward Schumacher-Matos

July 30, 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.

Friday July 27, 2012

Media

Spoiler Alert: The Olympics Are Back

by Lyndsey McKenna

July 27, 2012 • Every two years, NPR aims for the gold medal standard in its coverage of the Olympic Games, which means up-to-the-minute coverage. Due to the time difference, events take place before they are aired in primetime. Listeners often react with anger and call for a spoiler alert to be issued. Here, the Office of the Ombudsman offers NPR's coverage policies.

Monday July 23, 2012

NPR Public Editor

Open Forum

by Edward Schumacher-Matos

July 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.

Saturday July 21, 2012

Forgiving The Unforgivable Sin Of Plagiarism

The video of a woman's public execution by the Taliban in Afghanistan circulated on the Internet early this month. youtube.com hide caption

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youtube.com

Ethics

Forgiving The Unforgivable Sin Of Plagiarism

by Edward Schumacher-Matos

July 21, 2012 • Many rushed to judgment, but while Ahmad Shafi sinned, he should not be punished. His is a case study in cultural differences and speedy editorial reaction. Left for debate is whether to remove stories from the Web and history.

Thursday July 19, 2012

Fairness & Accuracy

Mideast Report: April – June 2012

by Edward Schumacher-Matos

July 19, 2012 • An independent review of NPR's Mideast coverage by former foreign editor John Felton.

Friday July 13, 2012

When A Small Business Owner Is More Than The Title Suggests

Joe Olivo (bottom right) has been interviewed by several news outlets about being the owner of a small business. This is from Fox News in July 2010. via youtube hide caption

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via youtube

Fairness & Accuracy

When A Small Business Owner Is More Than The Title Suggests

by Edward Schumacher-Matos

July 13, 2012 • Otherwise good stories on health care and minimum wage were undermined by presenting an oft-quoted advocate as a typical small businessperson. There was no right wing conspiracy, just a moment of poor journalistic practice.

Tuesday July 10, 2012

NPR Public Editor

Open Forum

by Edward Schumacher-Matos

July 10, 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.

Tuesday July 3, 2012

Ethics

A 'Manifesto' For News Ombudsmen In The Internet Age

by Edward Schumacher-Matos

July 3, 2012 • The Guardian's Dan Gillmor writes on the changing role of an ombudsman, or public editor, and interaction with the audience. I set out a year ago to do much of what he recommends, but never stated it so intelligently. Are we on the right path?

Thursday June 21, 2012

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.

Friday June 15, 2012

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.

Tuesday June 5, 2012

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.

Thursday May 24, 2012

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.

Wednesday May 23, 2012

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.

Monday May 14, 2012

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.

Friday May 4, 2012

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.