Ask the ombudsman.

October 30, 2001 6:38 AM

Ask the ombudsman. Are newspapers revealing too much information? too little? A news ombudsman receives and investigates complaints from newspaper readers or listeners or viewers of radio and television stations about accuracy, fairness, balance and good taste in news coverage. He or she recommends appropriate remedies or responses to correct or clarify news reports. Michael Getler: Internal Critic with Big Audience: how the Washington Post's Ombudsman does his job. An ombudsman is someone who handles complaints and attempts to find mutually satisfactory solutions. Ombudsmen can be found in government, corporations, hospitals, universities and other institutions. The first ombudsman was appointed in 1809 in Sweden to handle citizens' complaints about the government. It is pronounced "om-BUDS-man" and is Scandinavian in origin.
posted by Carol Anne (2 comments total)

Carol Anne, excellent links. The article on Getler gives a lot of insight to one way that a newspaper can try to stay in touch with their audience. I will probably spend more time looking further through the ONO site, but it's very intriguing information. thanks!
posted by bragadocchio at 9:30 AM on October 30, 2001

British papers have taken on the idea, most notably the Grauniad with its readers' editor. His weekly articles are a good insight into the conversation that a newspaper has with its readers, and the attempts of the staff to practice its editorial principles. (And yes, we have ombudsmen, but mainly for public services.)
posted by holgate at 10:47 AM on October 30, 2001