The ombudsman — now known as the public editor — is a relatively new feature to The Badger Herald, only stretching back in recent memory to the previous two semesters. While each ombudsman has had a unique style of delivering his critique of the newspaper (I know I will be no different), I hope to act as a conduit for readers to the newspaper.

After all, the Herald staff does not produce the newspaper for self-preservation, but for the campus. Readers remain the final stop in the newspaper's production, and, as its consumers, they deserve many avenues for feedback. While letters to the editor and online feedback certainly provide an outlet, these are not organized analyses of reader response.

This, of course, does not mean that all readers dictate the end result of the public editor's content. As with all forms of speech, this newspaper will occasionally publish something unpopular that the editors see fit to enter into The Badger Herald. Now, whether this is a good or bad decision is not up for the public editor to decide; however, he does have the responsibility to promote integrity to the newspaper and should express a strict interpretation of that responsibility.

This being said, many supporters of student government often write to the paper asking why the news and opinion sections publish pieces that are critical, or contain critical quotes of the Associated Students of Madison. Though it is easy to sympathize with those who spend much of their otherwise free time working for ASM, the newspaper must always keep student government in the press and under scrutiny. This does not imply it need be negative scrutiny or cynicism, but ASM is this campus' government, and granting them a free pass because they work hard is irresponsible.

With this in mind, this column will hopefully steer clear from saying things like, "News did a good job this week," or, "Sports needed more work." A friend sent me an e-mail just last week, writing, "A traditional ombudsman does not express opinions about issues but about how its paper covers issues." Any facet of the finished product remains under constant scrutiny by readers, who should therefore have a close eye inspecting each issue.

Another important responsibility to remember is the public editor reflects on the finished product of the paper and on all sections. While he may know what the raw articles look like, or is privy to inner workings of The Badger Herald, that is not under reader scrutiny. This will not delve into an airing of dirty laundry.

Hopefully, this column will be successful at its inception, bring another fold into The Badger Herald and keep readers' best interests in mind.

Matt Dolbey ([email protected]) hopes to graduate before he turns 30. His ombudsman column will be featured when necessary.