JEFFREY DVORKIN

National Public Radio Ombudsman

Jeffrey Dvorkin, ombudsman for National Public Radio, joins The George Washington University School of Media and Public Affairs (SMPA) as the J.B. and Maurice C. Shapiro Fellow for the 2004 fall semester. He will teach, “News Media Accountability and Management,” a seminar on how news media managers can support quality journalism while maintaining organizational credibility and viability.

“Jeffrey has had a distinguished career as a news executive and journalist,” said SMPA Interim Director Albert L. May. “A prominent professional, he will enrich the education of our students by exposing them to important issues confronting media organizations today.”

The Shapiro Fellowship program, funded by the J.B. and Maurice C. Shapiro Charitable Trust, brings to SMPA respected professionals who teach, advise and encourage students to think about media and public affairs. Past fellows include Dorothy Gilliam, formerly of The Washington Post, John Dancy, formerly of NBC, and White House press corps veteran Helen Thomas.

Dvorkin is the NPR listener’s representative and handles their questions and complaints. His weekly column at www.npr.org/yourturn/ombudsman covers issues of NPR journalism and media accountability. Dvorkin first started at NPR in 1997 as vice president of news and information, responsible for the national and international radio news and information service heard by 23 million Americans. Prior to that he was the chief journalist and managing editor for Canadian Broadcasting Corporation where he chaired the CBC media subcommittee and was responsible for ensuring high journalistic standards and practices.

From 1993-1997, he co-chaired the EuroRadio, radio committee in Geneva. An occasional lecturer, Dvorkin’s appearances include the U.S. State Department and universities including Emerson College, Harvard University and Johns Hopkins University. He holds a master’s degree in philosophy from the London School of Economics and obtained his bachelor’s degree in history and French literature at the University of Alberta and a master of arts in modern French history at the University of Toronto. Currently, he is president of the Organization of News Ombudsmen.