Ombudsman blog archive
Joint statement from Publisher and Ombudsman
Published: January 7, 2011
Following is a joint statement by Publisher Max Lederer Jr. and Ombudsman Mark J.
Prendergast, agreed to on Dec. 23, 2010, on the relationship between the newspaper and the position of independent Ombudsman. For background, see the related column, "An Affirmation of Independence."
It is agreed:
• that the Ombudsman’s right to exercise his duties and to publish his work in any Stars and Stripes venue without management or editorial oversight is affirmed to the maximum extent possible.
• that the Ombudsman has the right to publish directly to the Web site without prior review.
• that the designated editor will proofread an Ombudsman column submitted for publication in the newspaper as soon as possible after it is filed, and convey without delay any suggested changes to the Ombudsman.
• that the Ombudsman may reject any suggestions.
• that the designated editor, in consultation with the Ombudsman, will schedule the column for expeditious production and ensure that that schedule is met. The precise day will be set by the editor in charge of the Op-Ed page, though with full consideration to publishing in a timely fashion.
• that the newspaper will not delay publication for any reason other than logistical factors
involving physical production or strong concern that publication would constitute a serious breach of law or commonly understood professional standards and practices. It is agreed that the Publisher will try to seek the counsel of experts outside Stars and Stripes before taking such action.
• that the Publisher will immediately convey any decision to delay or withhold publication
to the attention of the Ombudsman and to the Director of Defense Media Activity and provide explicit reasons.
• that anyone at Stars and Stripes with access to the Ombudsman’s copy may read it before publication, and is encouraged to do so, and to convey any concerns directly to the editor proofreading and placing the column for publication or, in his or her absence, directly to the Ombudsman.
• that the Publisher and his subordinates shall immediately bring to the attention of the
Ombudsman any matter that would reasonably be seen to fall within the Ombudsman’s official and understood purview, like any efforts that might infringe on the organization’s right to operate free of censorship or news management or compromise professional standards.
