PressEthic

Washington Post ombudsman Michael Getler is headed to a new position: ombudsman at PBS. This is an exciting development, considering that a national network has never before employed someone in such a position. "PBS President Pat Mitchell said she hoped the 'News Hour With Jim Lehrer,' while an independent program, would occasionally invite Getler to discuss controversial matters." Getler will report to the President, so I think we can safely assume this will happen.

This move is seen by many as a response to the continuing critique that PBS is liberally biased. I think this is a great move. While PBS is not a newsroom, it is publicly funded, and does have news elements. What I really hope, though, is that other television networks follow suit. Can you imagine if Fox actually tried to be "fair and balanced?"