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The readers' editor on… why the Washington Post should keep its ombudsman The readers' editor on… why the Washington Post should keep its ombudsman
(7 months later)
What do the words Washington Post conjure up in your mind? Images of Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman, perhaps, playing reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein in All the President's Men, all nervous tension as they piece together the story of the Watergate scandal that forced Richard Nixon out of the White House. Ancient history to some, but an example of solid journalism that still inspires young reporters today and keeps that title among the most distinguished in the world.What do the words Washington Post conjure up in your mind? Images of Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman, perhaps, playing reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein in All the President's Men, all nervous tension as they piece together the story of the Watergate scandal that forced Richard Nixon out of the White House. Ancient history to some, but an example of solid journalism that still inspires young reporters today and keeps that title among the most distinguished in the world.
Last week, it caused ructions right in its own newsroom. Patrick Pexton, the paper's ombudsman, will leave at the end of this month when his contract runs out. He doubts he will be replaced. The chair could be empty for the first time in 43 years. It was only the second paper in the US to make such an appointment and the first on which the ombudsman also wrote a weekly column on matters arising from the paper's journalism.Last week, it caused ructions right in its own newsroom. Patrick Pexton, the paper's ombudsman, will leave at the end of this month when his contract runs out. He doubts he will be replaced. The chair could be empty for the first time in 43 years. It was only the second paper in the US to make such an appointment and the first on which the ombudsman also wrote a weekly column on matters arising from the paper's journalism.
Pexton told the readers on 15 February: "Officially, no final decision has been made. Discussions are underway within the Post about how to respond to reader complaints and concerns without an independent ombudsman. But I think the tea leaves are clear. For cost-cutting reasons, for modern media-technology reasons and because the Post, like other news organisations, is financially weaker and hence even more sensitive to criticism, my bet is that this position will disappear."Pexton told the readers on 15 February: "Officially, no final decision has been made. Discussions are underway within the Post about how to respond to reader complaints and concerns without an independent ombudsman. But I think the tea leaves are clear. For cost-cutting reasons, for modern media-technology reasons and because the Post, like other news organisations, is financially weaker and hence even more sensitive to criticism, my bet is that this position will disappear."
I'm in my second term as president of the worldwide Organization of News Ombudsmen and called the Post's new editor, Marty Baron, when I heard the news, expressing concern. Like so many other editors across the world, he needs to cut costs and sees other papers in the US making drastic economies. He said the Post was exploring other ways to respond to readers and anyway it wouldn't be his decision. That would fall to the publisher, Katharine Weymouth.I'm in my second term as president of the worldwide Organization of News Ombudsmen and called the Post's new editor, Marty Baron, when I heard the news, expressing concern. Like so many other editors across the world, he needs to cut costs and sees other papers in the US making drastic economies. He said the Post was exploring other ways to respond to readers and anyway it wouldn't be his decision. That would fall to the publisher, Katharine Weymouth.
I recall inviting Ms Weymouth and the great Watergate editor Ben Bradlee to an ONO conference in Washington four years ago. They both spoke warmly of the valuable role played by the succession of journalists who had taken on the job at the Post. Things were bad for the US media then. Today, they are even worse, but I would argue that Ms Weymouth would be making a false economy if the role were to disappear.I recall inviting Ms Weymouth and the great Watergate editor Ben Bradlee to an ONO conference in Washington four years ago. They both spoke warmly of the valuable role played by the succession of journalists who had taken on the job at the Post. Things were bad for the US media then. Today, they are even worse, but I would argue that Ms Weymouth would be making a false economy if the role were to disappear.
In a media world where none of the numbers add up, being transparent and accountable can buttress a business against the bad times. Offering a fast form of redress for complainants can only increase your credibility, something that mainstream media need more and more to promote in a world saturated in internet speculation.In a media world where none of the numbers add up, being transparent and accountable can buttress a business against the bad times. Offering a fast form of redress for complainants can only increase your credibility, something that mainstream media need more and more to promote in a world saturated in internet speculation.
Newspaper websites reach vast audiences who expect accurate and fair reporting. With the permanent nature of the web, correcting the record is even more important. Equally, in the interests of true transparency, it is important that those corrections are properly and impartially managed. A figure who stands apart from the day-to-day gathering of news – an ombudsman or readers' editor – is best suited to that role.Newspaper websites reach vast audiences who expect accurate and fair reporting. With the permanent nature of the web, correcting the record is even more important. Equally, in the interests of true transparency, it is important that those corrections are properly and impartially managed. A figure who stands apart from the day-to-day gathering of news – an ombudsman or readers' editor – is best suited to that role.
The job clears the editor's desk of nagging complaints (Pexton reckons he handles 5,000 a month); it shows your audience that you actively care about accuracy; it promotes loyalty within that audience and it significantly reduces the traffic through the lawyers' office, saving considerable litigation costs.The job clears the editor's desk of nagging complaints (Pexton reckons he handles 5,000 a month); it shows your audience that you actively care about accuracy; it promotes loyalty within that audience and it significantly reduces the traffic through the lawyers' office, saving considerable litigation costs.
It's now convenient at cash-strapped US papers to lose the ombudsman and describe it as a dying, irrelevant job. The argument goes that giving the readers online access to comment and contribute instantly on stories removes the need for the ombudsman. That's clearly a cheat: readers may enjoy the cathartic experience of seeing their complaints published on a website, but that's where it ends. There's no independent adjudication process and no critical analysis of their complaint. In short, no transparency; no accountability.It's now convenient at cash-strapped US papers to lose the ombudsman and describe it as a dying, irrelevant job. The argument goes that giving the readers online access to comment and contribute instantly on stories removes the need for the ombudsman. That's clearly a cheat: readers may enjoy the cathartic experience of seeing their complaints published on a website, but that's where it ends. There's no independent adjudication process and no critical analysis of their complaint. In short, no transparency; no accountability.
And dying? This month alone, I have received invitations to travel to Hungary and Germany to talk to editors keen to know more about setting up this role at their newspapers. Argentina has recently appointed an ombudsman to receive complaints on all radio and TV coverage in the country. Colombia now has 14 ombudsmen working just in television – each with a weekly half-hour show – and Mexico has recently increased its broadcasting tally to five.And dying? This month alone, I have received invitations to travel to Hungary and Germany to talk to editors keen to know more about setting up this role at their newspapers. Argentina has recently appointed an ombudsman to receive complaints on all radio and TV coverage in the country. Colombia now has 14 ombudsmen working just in television – each with a weekly half-hour show – and Mexico has recently increased its broadcasting tally to five.
A system that came to maturity at the Washington Post is being emulated around the world in all forms of media. They can see the value in it. Let's hope the newspaper that set the gold standard can see the value too.A system that came to maturity at the Washington Post is being emulated around the world in all forms of media. They can see the value in it. Let's hope the newspaper that set the gold standard can see the value too.
reader@observer.co.ukreader@observer.co.uk
www.newsombudsmen.org/www.newsombudsmen.org/
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