Radio

Greater meaning to Loh affair?

| 5 Comments

NPR Ombudsman Jeffrey Dvorkin thinks that KCRW's firing and reinstatement of Sandra Tsing Loh -- and her decision to reject the offer -- raises larger issues for the network. He airs it out in his column up today on the National Public Radio website. He also says NPR erred in not reporting the story as it was happening.

Why has NPR not reported this story? So far, nothing has aired on any of the news magazine programs. Only Marketplace (a public radio program not produced by NPR) has aired a report on the controversy (granted, only presenting Loh's side of the story). NPR, in my opinion, owes it to its listeners to take a look at this story, even though it may be uncomfortable to some in the public radio community.

Public radio in general -- and NPR in particular -- has seemed less than eager to report on itself whenever we become the legitimate subject of news reports in other places. We appear too squeamish, as if self-examination and scrutiny are akin to self-promotion.

Get over it, NPR. Let's allow the listeners in on this important discussion.


More by Kevin Roderick:
Standing up to Harvey Weinstein
The Media
LA Times gets a top editor with nothing but questions
LA Observed Notes: Harvey Weinstein stripped bare
LA Observed Notes: Photos of the homeless, photos that found homes
Recent Radio stories on LA Observed:
Warren Olney leaving KCRW's radio lineup
5 things: Double politics, fake quake news, bike lane rage
KPCC ends 'Off-Ramp' and gives host John Rabe new role
What would Ray Bradbury say?
LA Times editor gets all serious: 'How could truth become so devalued?'
Hugh Hewitt joins WashPost oped columnists
KPCC's 'Take Two' is now minus one
KCRW investigates LA restaurant worker abuse
Previous story: LAT's Pulitzer buzz

Next story: Magazine award finalists


 

LA Observed on Twitter