The Role of the Ombudsman in Journalism

The concept of an ombudsman, derived from Swedish, relates to accountability within journalism, functioning as a public editor for media organizations. Traditionally, the ombudsman serves to address audience complaints and provide insights into news practices. However, this role has been largely abandoned in much of the American media landscape, with NPR being one of the very few organizations maintaining such a position. The Columbia Journalism Review is taking the initiative to fill this vacuum by appointing its own ombudspeople to critique major news outlets, emphasizing the need for accountability in reporting practices.