ESPN hires ombudsman

[FCollinsBuckeye]

How funny! I guess all the complaints from OSU fans spurs ESPiN into action...

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/s...toryId=4675929

June 1, 2005 · Melissa Block talks with Washington Post sports columnist George Solomon. ESPN announced yesterday that Mr. Solomon will the cable network's first ombudsman.<!-- end center column --><!-- start resources in center column --><NOINDEX></NOINDEX><!-- end resources in center column --><!-- end paste page content --><!-- start stroy end promo --><NOINDEX></NOINDEX><!-- end stroy end promo --><NOINDEX><SCRIPT src="/include/**********/peekaboo.js" type=text/**********></SCRIPT><SCRIPT ******************** type=text/**********>/** * echeck function modified from DHTML email validation script. Courtesy of SmartWebby.com (http://www.smartwebby.com/dhtml/) */function echeck(str) { var at="@" var dot="." var lat=str.indexOf(at) var lstr=str.length var ldot=str.indexOf(dot) if (str.indexOf(at)==-1){ alert("Please check the the format of the email addresses you entered.") return false } if (str.indexOf(at)==-1 || str.indexOf(at)==0 || str.indexOf(at)==lstr){ alert("Please check the the format of the email addresses you entered.") return false } if (str.indexOf(dot)==-1 || str.indexOf(dot)==0 || str.indexOf(dot)==lstr){ alert("Please check the the format of the email addresses you entered.") return false } //if (str.indexOf(at,(lat+1))!=-1){ // alert("Please check the the format of the email addresses you entered.") // return false //} if (str.substring(lat-1,lat)==dot || str.substring(lat+1,lat+2)==dot){ alert("Please check the the format of the email addresses you entered.") return false } //if (str.indexOf(dot,(lat+2))==-1){ // alert("Please check the the format of the email addresses you entered.") // return false //} if ((str.indexOf(" ")!=-1) && (str.indexOf(" ")!=str.length-1)){ //altered by eme -- a space at the end should be ok alert("Please check the the format of the email addresses you entered.") return false } return true } function deleteSpaces(textStr) { // replace any spaces/linebreak characters w/ nothing //var textStrSave = textStr.value.replace(/[\t\n\r\f\v ]+/g, ""); var textStrSave = textStr.value.replace(/[\s]+/g, ""); textStr.value= textStrSave; } function formSubmit() { if (checkStation()==0) { docUrl = document.URL; document.frmSendToFriend.title.value=document.titl e; poundFind = docUrl.indexOf("#"); if (poundFind>-1) { docUrl = docUrl.substring(0, poundFind); } if (docUrl.substring(0, 14)=="http://npr.org") { docUrl = "http://www.npr.org" + docUrl.substring(14, docUrl.length); } document.frmSendToFriend.pageUrl.value= docUrl; from=document.frmSendToFriend.from.value; to=document.frmSendToFriend.recipient.value; if ((to==null)||(to=="") || (from==null)||(from=="")){ alert("Please enter information into the email address fields."); document.frmSendToFriend.recipient.focus(); return false; } else if ((echeck(from)==false) || (echeck(to)==false)){ return false } else { document.frmSendToFriend.submit(); } } } function checkStation() { if ( ((document.frmSendToFriend.callletters.value== "Enter Call Letters") || (document.frmSendToFriend.callletters.value== "")) && (document.frmSendToFriend.localcontact[0].checked == true)) { alert ("Please enter the call letters of your local NPR member station if you would like to receive information from them."); return 1; } else { return 0; } }</SCRIPT>

[Misanthrope]

The fact that they felt the need for one ought to tell them something.

[scUM Buster]

OK, I'll admit it. I had to look up ombudsman.

one that investigates reported complaints (as from students or consumers), reports findings, and helps to achieve equitable settlements

[BuckeyeNation27]

one of the few words i remember from 9th grade vocab tests. probly cuz its so cool to say.

[IrontonBuck]

That's probably as close to an apology that Ohio State fans will ever get. And it proves that ESPN considers themselves journalists and not just entertaineers.
So that excuse is gone.

[AJHawkfan]

Originally Posted by IrontonBuck

And it proves that ESPN considers themselves journalists and not just entertaineers.

I consider myself to be the greatest athlete in the world; hiring a personal trainer doesn't make it so.

[HineyBuck]

Originally Posted by IrontonBuck

That's probably as close to an apology that Ohio State fans will ever get.

True. And it's also the clearest indicator we will see that tOSU wins and ESPiN loses for the last year and a half of horse[censored] they put us through. Though most fans won't see this as a major victory, an outfit like ESPiN doesn't install an Ombudsman unless it recognizes that it's got serious issues with journalistic ethics and integrity. There is no way the MoC story plays out the way it did in the presence of an Ombudsman. There is no way they do that to us again.

[IronBuckI]

Originally Posted by HineyBuck

True. And it's also the clearest indicator we will see that tOSU wins and ESPiN loses for the last year and a half of horse[censored] they put us through. Though most fans won't see this as a major victory, an outfit like ESPiN doesn't install an Ombudsman unless it recognizes that it's got serious issues with journalistic ethics and integrity. There is no way the MoC story plays out the way it did in the presence of an Ombudsman. There is no way they do that to us again.

That is, unless they do do it to us again. This looks more like someone that they can scapegoat, then fire, if/when something like this happens again. Rather than them looking to fix their rumor mongering ways.

[Misanthrope]

Originally Posted by IronBuckI

That is, unless they do do it to us again. This looks more like someone that they can scapegoat, then fire, if/when something like this happens again. Rather than them looking to fix their rumor mongering ways.

Exactly. They will continue to do whatever produces ratings, and smut sells.

[HineyBuck]

Ya know, I'm as cynical as anyone when it comes to a major corporation's stated intentions to "do the right thing." And it is possible to set up an Ombudsman Program as mere window dressing (giving the appearance of doing the right thing rather than the assurance of doing the right thing.

That said, these Ombudsman Programs can and do make a difference. So many decry the lack of accountability of the media. This builds in a substantial measure of accountability. This guy may be hired by management, but he is paid to work for us--the viewers. It's his job to take our side, not management's side or the reporter's side. So, how can that work if management signs the guys paycheck? Well, a couple of things. This guy they hired is no lightweight. He's sports editor for one of the major national papers (and one with at least a semblence of journalistic integrity). When he asks questions of a reporter, he'll get answers. The second thing is, he really can't be fired without ESPiN having to admit that it is only window dressing.

Like I said, most fans won't see this as a major victory, but I do. We'll see. If the guy quietly resigns after the first big controversy, we'll know it was window dressing.

[BuckeyeInTheBoro]

I'm surprised they went with this guy when OJ was available.

Think about his resume:
1) Has deep sports knowledge and experience
2) Has both sports broadcasting and acting experience
3) Loves USC
4) Years of investigative experience (looking for "the real killers") that turns up nothing
5) Capable of getting away with murder


He's a perfect fit for the role of "ombudsman" for ESPN.

P.S. Is it just me or could that be the real killer in the background of this picture, just to the left of OJ? That guy's killed somebody before anyway.

[BuckeyeNation27]

P.S. Is it just me or could that be the real killer in the background of this picture, just to the left of OJ? That guy's killed somebody before anyway.

i think thats a chick

[BuckeyeInTheBoro]

Originally Posted by BuckeyeNation27

i think thats a chick

Wow... that's even worse.

[horseshoe1]

Regardless of who the hire they are still a bunch of dickheads ( and I'm being nice ) and I refuse to watch them except out of necessity (tOSU) and I definately will NOT read their rag.

I have seen this happen at other places and the bottom line is the paycheck still comes from ESPN[censored]heads and we all know wheather the tail will wag the dog or not.

[Tbuck]

I wonder if the new ombudsman will be receiving a letter from Vern Mangold and the football parents association?