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

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.

Thursday July 3, 2008

NPR Public Editor

SHOULD NPR INTERVIEW RELATIVES OF STAFF MEMBERS?

by Alicia C. Shepard

July 3, 2008 • During this heated political season, Day to Day interviewed a relative of an NPR staffer for a controversial segment highlighting a Sen. Hillary Clinton supporter wh

Monday June 30, 2008

NPR Public Editor

NO 'SPOILER ALERT' FOR SPORTS

by Holley Simmons

June 30, 2008 • When an NPR newscaster announced the winner of the French Open Semi-Finals on June 6, our office received a few emails from not-amused tennis enthusiasts. These fans were upset that a spoiler alert wasn't given.

Friday June 20, 2008

NPR Public Editor

SEXIST LANGUAGE

by Alicia C. Shepard

June 20, 2008 • A recent piece on Morning Edition told the story of a smart, powerful woman who rose to the top ranks of Lehman Brothers, only to be demoted six months later when the investm

Thursday June 12, 2008

NPR Public Editor

LISTENER SOUND OFF June 12, 2008

by Alicia C. Shepard

June 12, 2008 • LISTENER SOUND OFF: Occasionally the office will publish a "Sound Off," where the Ombudsman responds to listener inquiries. These letters often address important issues which many NPR listeners might be interested in. Included in thi

Thursday June 5, 2008

NPR Public Editor

DOES THE WORLD NEED MORE NEWS OMBUDSMEN?

by Alicia C. Shepard

June 5, 2008 • STOCKHOLM — The "Readers' Editor" for The Observer of London was sightseeing here last week when his cell phone rang. It was a Kenyan journalist asking how his

Wednesday May 28, 2008

NPR Public Editor

THE GIANT POOL OF MONEY

by Alicia C. Shepard

May 28, 2008 • Clarence Nathan was a man with three part-time jobs who earned about $45,000 a year, and yet a bank loaned him $540,000. The bank never checked his income.