New York Times Considers Dropping Ombudsman Postition
Less than four years after introducing the position of “public editor” –serving as independent ombudsman — in response to the Jason Blair scandal, New York Times editor Bill Keller is considering abolishing the position, according the New York Observer. In an email to the Observer, Keller declared that
Over the next couple of months, as [Public Editor] Barney’s [Calame] term enters the home stretch, I’ll be taking soundings from the staff, talking it over with the masthead, and consulting with [Publisher] Arthur [Sulzberger, Jr.]
According to the Times, the job of the public editor is to serve as the readers’ representative, respond to complaints and comments from the public, and monitor the paper’s journalistic practices. The Times’ editors and journalists apparently feel they’ve had enough of being judged by an independent arbiter.
On the other hand, given Calame’s lack of responsiveness to readers, it is no great loss to the public.
More from SNAPSHOTS
CNN’s Ben Wedeman Falsely Reports No Soldiers Injured in Gaza Border Violence
June 17, 2018
In a June 7 broadcast and online here, Ben Wedeman incorrectly reported that in the course of the ongoing "March of Return" violence at the Gaza border, "No Israeli soldiers were killed or injured during [...]
Where’s the Coverage? Hezbollah Helps Hamas Build Terror Camps, Israel Calls for U.N. Help
June 12, 2018
Well equipped Hamas operatives Hezbollah, the Lebanese-based, Iranian-backed terrorist group is helping Hamas build rocket factories and terror training camps in southern Lebanon, according to a Jerusalem Post report. Hezbollah’s assistance violates several United Nations [...]
Where’s the Coverage? Israel Foils Assassination Plot Targeting Netanyahu and Others
June 6, 2018
Israeli authorities uncovered and thwarted a terrorist cell that planned to murder top governmental officials, including the country’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and the mayor of Jerusalem, Nir Barkat. However, many major U.S. news outlets [...]
U.S. Official: Iran’s Support for Hezbollah Greater Than Previously Thought
June 6, 2018
Hezbollah head Hassan Nasrallah The Islamic Republic of Iran’s support for Hezbollah might be greater than previously thought. Tehran gives the Lebanese-based terrorist group $700 million a year, according to recent remarks by the U.S. [...]
Where’s the Coverage? 14 Members of Congress Call to Halt PA Aid
June 1, 2018
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo In a widely underreported move, fourteen members of the United States Congress called upon the U.S. State Department to “immediately suspend all aid payments to the Palestinian Authority.” The [...]