NPR Ignores Flood of Criticism - Continues to Air Segments with Partisan "Swing" Voter.

Morning Edition - National Public Radio ^ | 09/24/2004 | Whitman

[timbuck2]

Email to NPR Ombudsman Dvorkin 9/24/2004

Dear Mr. Dvorkin, I must say I was stunned that NPR has decided to go ahead with this series of "swing voter" interviews. I listened to Morning Edition's latest installment today and was dumbfounded that the rationale advanced for Ridley's donations to Clarke and Kerry was that Bush was raising more money and Ridley simply acted to level the playing field. This is absurd and is insulting to NPR's listeners. Ridley is presented as a swing voter in THIS year's presidential election. He is purportedly undecided, yet these are the facts: He has given $500 to Kerry, a Democrat. He has given $500 to Clarke, a Democrat. He has given $0 to the RNC, $0 to Bush.

Do you buy Ridley's story? It sounds to me like Ridley got caught in a lie, invented an excuse and now continues to enjoy free publicity (and payment?) from NPR. Obviously, it is not in Ridley interest to declare that he has made a decision because his appearances on NPR will cease.

Mr. Dvorkin, NPR has made a terrible decision to keep airing these segments. One would think the producers would be sensitive to appearances of journalistic fraud given the meltdown at CBS.

You have been terrific in your role as Ombudsman and I hope you will continue to pass along listeners' concerns about the Ridley interviews.

Regards,

[OhGeorgia]

who cares what NPR does...theyre biased DUH!!!!

[Drango]

The Ombudsman is responsive and a good guy.

Responsive? Somewhat, but he is no friend of conservatives. There is not one conservative on-air host or talent on NPR. Not one. And he turns a blind eye to it.

As to making funding voluntary....thanks for the chuckle.

[Drango]

The only thing that works with NPR is to write a letter-to-the-editor of your local and state newspapers stating the bias, noting that the news section of NPR is consistently of leftist bias, and concluding that NPR is unworthy of public support including individual donations. Send a copy of the printed letter to the stations and NPR. Money is the only thing that gets their attention. Remember the local NPR fund drives - and bring the subject up at that time.

If I may offer a polite disagreement...NPR/PBS is funded by your tax dollars with the approval of over 100 Republican congress critter. Click on my name (homepage)for an old list. Follow the money, and ask your local congress critter to defund 'em.

[mtntop3]

Well noted. And thanks for the listing which will assuredly be utilized. NPR is indeed federally funded, but a significant share of the total funding is local. The bringing to the attention of the local public and local advertisers to NPR malfeasance results in a relatively quick response that can be quite significant.

[Drango]

The bringing to the attention of the local public and local advertisers to NPR malfeasance results in a relatively quick response that can be quite significant.

Indeed it is! I also call during pledge week and donate $00.01 much to the angst of my local NPR. (caution: only do this after several gin & tonics and in your PJs or Commando style)

[Doctor Raoul]

Having an ombudsman at NPR makes about as much sense as appointing a Chaplin at a whorehouse. As if there's anything either one could say that would make them stop what they're doing...

[razorback-bert]

He just did not pick up on the agenda which is often subtle.

Subtle, my butt, I am forced to listen to NPR sometimes while driving in the outback and if the segment is on the enviorment, they are anything but subtle. Global warming is causing hemorrhoids among ugabooga tribesmen in upper lower wayaway is always a feature.

[WildTurkey]

I had a long discussion with the ombudsman and almost got him to admit it was part of his job to ensure the accuracy of the broadcasts.

[WildTurkey]

Follow the money, and ask your local congress critter to defund 'em.

Done and Done. DC and Local.

[pad 34]

The Smoke that comes out of my ears when I tune to the “Public” side of the FM dial is light Blue. “Know your Enemies” is the only reason I go there.

My temptation is to get out the bolt cutters and drop a few antennas.

However, the solution would be total de-funding and then auction off the bandwidth to the highest bidder.

If any former publicly financed “groups” wish to bid for the space, every last dollar that they received from our taxes would be subtracted from their bid.

This is my idea of a level playing field.

[Murtyo]

you only show up if you donate more that $200, no??

[NYCVirago]

you only show up if you donate more that $200, no??

I'm not sure; I thought any amount showed up in FEC records. At any rate, NPR could make a simple phone call to the RNC and find out if Ridley actually donated or not.

[WildTurkey]

I'm not sure; I thought any amount showed up in FEC records. At any rate, NPR could make a simple phone call to the RNC and find out if Ridley actually donated or not.

The NPR ombudsman is "looking into this.

Please call him and ask if he is having any progress.

You can e-mail me at ombudsman@npr.org or call me at 202-513-3245.
Jeffrey Dvorkin NPR Ombudsman

[NYCVirago]

I've emailed the ombudsman already, and have gotten no response. Thanks, though.

[WildTurkey]

I've emailed the ombudsman already, and have gotten no response. Thanks, though.

I just got a reply. He said the producer said JR donated $200.

I had asked How much and When and replied back that I still wanted to know when and WHY it does not show up on the FEC database. Also left message on his voicemail.

[Puddleglum]

NPR ... What a Kroc!

more on the NPR crock

[WildTurkey]

I'm not sure; I thought any amount showed up in FEC records.

NPR now says it was $200 and $200 shows up on the FEC database; but not JR's.

[WildTurkey]

Just got this "convenient" story. Still no information on when.


Dear Mr. *****,

John Ridley gave a total of $200 to the RNC over two occasions. The FEC only counts amounts donated OVER $100. That is why
it is not listed on the FEC website.

Regards,

Jeffrey Dvorkin