“He was a really fine person, even if he’d never admit it.” Those are the words of good friend and former San Diego Union-Tribune colleague, Bob Laurence. He was describing Al JaCoby, newspaperman, mentor and my friend for nearly four … Read More
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List of ONO Presidents
1980-1985 Al JaCoby, The San Diego Union-Tribune 1985-1986 Harry Themal, Wilmington News-Journal 1986-1988 Clair Balfour, Montreal Gazette, Canada 1988-1990 Bob Kierstead, Boston G;obe 1990-1991 Henry McNulty, Hartford Courant 1991-1992 Kerry Sipe, Virginian Pilot 1992-1993 Dave Bishop, Ann Arbor News, Michigan … Read More
EDITORS FOR THE PUBLIC
…a pamphlet produced by ONO in the mid-1980’s explaining what a news ombudsman is and why the world needs them.
COVID-19 and EDITORIAL STANDARDS
The novel coronavirus COVID-19 is a huge and all-consuming story, and likely to remain one for some time. The pressures on working journalists in covering such a fast-breaking and high-impact story are immense. Reporters are working long hours on a … Read More
The ONO Handbook
The ONO Handbook is a concise and helpful guide for News Ombudsmen. It has been updated in 2020 with a new section on digital newsrooms and social media, and is available as a free e-book. You can access it here.
“The Grumpy Scold in the House”
The Public Editor Role at the Asahi Shimbun What is the Public Editor doing? An interim report on The Asahi Shimbun’s PE By Yumiko Harashima/ Staff Writer Asahi Shimbun Op-Ed Section “The grumpy scold in the house” “The loneliest job in the newsroom” News ombudsmen or public … Read More
Reporting Suicide
In the last week, news outlets reported on two high profile suicides. Here’s what CBC’s Journalistic Standards and Practices has to say on the subject: We are sensitive in our handling of suicides, suicide attempts and desperate acts. In particular, … Read More