Vitae vs. KUOW: The verdict

“A credible and responsible news organization promptly corrects its mistakes, says CPB Ombudsman Joel Kaplan. “It does not trade its most valuable commodity—its airtime—as a way to apologize by promoting a story on an organization that does not pass the newsworthy test.”

Twitter and Facebook: Powerful but dangerous

Facebook and Twitter are driving changes in the way news is collected and disseminated, and they are doing it at what often seems to be warp speed.

Defining the line between what is on and off the record

The balance of power between journalists and sources is not always clear. A guardian reporter asks “If a reporter calls you and tells you he is working on a story about a particular issue, should he be required to ask your consent before publishing your comments? Or is the burden on the subject to make it clear that the conversation is ‘off the record.’”

It’s time to turn this over to someone else

“This is my last column. Some of you will find that mildly interesting; some will welcome the news vigorously; and most people won’t read this or couldn’t care less. However, I am glad to write it because the alternatives are not good, and I am able to leave under my own steam, with some measure of dignity.”
— San Antonio Express-News Public Editor Bob Richter

No free lunch for restaurant reviewers

A Toledo Blade reader wants to know if restaurant reviewers get free meals and whether the restaurants pay for the reviews.

Lessons from another war

Nine years after the start of the Iraq war, former Chicago Tribune foreign editor Tim McNulty cautions journalists against falling again for a kind of siren song: “the narrative of war.”
“We talk about generals fighting the last war,” says McNulty, now co-director of the National Security Journalism Initiative at Northwestern University, “I think journalists also do.”

“The narrative of war, or anticipating war, is a much stronger narrative than the doubters have,” he said. “It is an easier story to write than the question of, well, is it really necessary?”

New York Times Public Editor Arthur Brisbane says he recently is hearing from readers concerned that the Times is falling for this siren song, the narrative of war, in its coverage of Iran’s nuclear program. Brisbane shares this view and believes the West’s inability to understand the other side’s leadership may have a parallel with the run-up to the Iraq war. “Once again,” Brisbane notes, “the stakes are high for all involved, including The Times, which has an opportunity to get it right this time.”

Public advocate can hold press to its ideals

After six months as readers’ editor of the Herald and The Sun-Herald, and after the publication of the Finkelstein inquiry’s report on Australia’s media, it seems an appropriate time to talk about how the role has unfolded.

What’s so funny about the funny pages?

Humor in every form has a way of finding dangerous ground when it comes to taste, politics — and especially religion. So, even if none of the examples reviewed by Stars and Stripes Ombudsman Ernie Gates found crossed the line he would draw, it’s good to be reminded to be on guard — even on the funny pages.

Covering Chardon High School shooting while balancing speed, accuracy

When a huge, wide-ranging story breaks, a newspaper immediately runs up against two urgent yet conflicting instincts:

- Get the news online and into print as quickly as possible.

- Don’t do it before you’re sure you’ve got the facts right.

So it was for the Cleveland Plain Dealer with the recent shooting tragedy at an Ohio high school.

What is the status of press freedom in Canada?

Toronto Star Public Editor Kathy English ponders the meaning and significance of Section 2b of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the adoption of which — 30 years ago — established freedom of the press in Canada.