ESPN Public Editor
Kevin Merida, ESPN Senior Vice President and Editor-in-Chief for The Undefeated and Chair of ESPN’s Editorial Board took to ESPN’s Front Row blog to announce that the Editorial Board has decided to discontinue the Public Editor position (formerly Ombudsman). The position began in 2005 and has been vacant since March 2018.
Listed Reasons Why the Decision Was Made:
- The Washington Post and the New York Times eliminated their Ombudsman role in recognition that the position had outlived its usefulness, largely because of the rise of real-time feedback of all kinds.
- Access to the Internet and its social platforms has created a horde of watchdogs who communicate directly with us to share observations and questions
- ESPN’s multi-faceted newsgathering operation is made up of a diverse collection of seasoned journalists who engage in spirited discussion and respectful disagreement to land in the best possible place.
- ESPN’s Editorial Board meets regularly and discusses current journalistic issues and best practices.
Former Public Editors (Ombudsman):
- George Solomon (2005-2007)
- Le Anne Schreiber (2007-2008)
- Don Ohlmeyer (2009-2010)
- The Poynter Institute (2011-2012)
- Robert Lipsyte (2013-2014)
- James Brady (2015-2018)
Recent ESPN Public Editor Columns:
- Taking on the oh-so-simple subject of ESPN’s future
- While evolving, SportsCenter remains sun in ESPN’s solar system
- ESPN’s evolution: Snapchat, esports and attribution guidelines
- ESPN shows progress, faces challenges, regarding women in sports
- ESPN’s new social guidelines show right instincts
- ESPN navigating uncharted political, social and controversial waters
- ESPN awash in rising political tide
- ESPN punctuating its ‘capital-J’ journalism
- ESPN must prove commitment to journalism in wake of recent talent cuts
Other Recent ESPN News:
- Christine Driessen, ESPN’s EVP & CFO will retire in January 2019
- ESPN kicking off “Life Needs Sports” Global Brand Campaign
- ESPN Receives 10 Sports Emmys
- ESPN to Present Entire NCAA Division I Lacross Championship
ESPN 2018 Sports Emmy Wins:
- Shorts Sports Documentary: SC Featured: A Mountain to Climb (ESPNEWS)
- Studio Show Weekly: College GameDay
- Journalism: E:60 – The Dictator’s Team (ESPN2)
- Short Feature: College GameDay: Melvin Keihn (WatchESPN)
- Long Feature: E:60 – Fight On (ESPN2)
- Studio Host: Bob Ley
- Event Analyst: Kirk Herbstreit (ESPN/ABC)
- Tech Team Studio: College GameDay
- Technical Achievement: Sunday Night Baseball: Front Row Cam
- Studio Show in Spanish: Futbol Picante (ESPN Deportes)