The job of the
public editor is to supervise the implementation of proper journalism ethics at a newspaper, and to identify and examine critical errors or omissions, and to act as a liaison to the public. They do this primarily through a regular feature on a newspaper's
editorialEditorials are featured in many newspapers and magazines, usually written by the senior editorial staff or publisher of the publication. Additionally, most print publications feature an editorial, or letter from the editor, sometimes followed by a Letters to the Editor section...
page. The position of the public editor is paradoxical, as they are generally employees of the newspaper. However, as a valuable symbol of a high standard of ethics for a newspaper, the firing of a public editor over any criticisms they might have would contradict their purpose.
Many major newspapers in the U.S.
The job of the
public editor is to supervise the implementation of proper journalism ethics at a newspaper, and to identify and examine critical errors or omissions, and to act as a liaison to the public. They do this primarily through a regular feature on a newspaper's
editorialEditorials are featured in many newspapers and magazines, usually written by the senior editorial staff or publisher of the publication. Additionally, most print publications feature an editorial, or letter from the editor, sometimes followed by a Letters to the Editor section...
page. The position of the public editor is paradoxical, as they are generally employees of the newspaper. However, as a valuable symbol of a high standard of ethics for a newspaper, the firing of a public editor over any criticisms they might have would contradict their purpose.
Many major newspapers in the U.S. use the public editor column as the voice for their Ombudsman, though this is not always so. Public Editor columns cover a broader scope of issues and do not have an accredidation process, while in order to qualify as an ombudsman of any standing one must be a member of the Organisation of News Ombudsmen.
At
The New York TimesThe New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded in 1851 and published in New York City. The largest metropolitan newspaper in the United States, "The Gray Lady"—named for its staid appearance and style—is regarded as a national newspaper of record...
, the position was created in response to the
Jayson BlairJayson Blair is a life coach and former American journalist who resigned from the New York Times in May 2003, after he was caught plagiarizing and fabricating elements of his stories.-Background:...
scandalA scandal is a widely publicized allegation or set of allegations that damages the reputation of an institution, individual or creed. A scandal may be based on true or false allegations or a mixture of both....
. The Times' first public editor was
Daniel OkrentDaniel Okrent is an American writer and editor. He is best known for having served as the first public editor of The New York Times newspaper, and for inventing Rotisserie League Baseball.-Education and career:...
, who held the position from
December 2003-Events:...
through
May 2005May 2005 was the fifth month of that year. It began on a Sunday and ended after 31 days, on a Tuesday.May 2005 : ← - January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October - November - December - →-Events:...
. Okrent's successor was
Byron CalameByron Calame was the second public editor of the New York Times. He succeeded Daniel Okrent in this ombudsman-like position in 2005, and was followed by Clark Hoyt...
.
The current public editor is
Clark HoytClark Hoyt is an American journalist who is currently the public editor of the New York Times, serving as the 'readers representative'. He is the newspaper's third public editor, or ombudsman, after Daniel Okrent and Byron Calame. His two-year term began on May 14, 2007.Hoyt is a member of the The...
.