"I HAVE MY DOUBTS..."

In his weekly post, NPR Ombudsman Jeffrey A. Dvorkin once again spits bile at "Internet-savvy users between 18 and 34" and blog writers and readers in particular:

[T]he blogosphere has proven once again to be an amoral place with few rules. The consequences for misbehavior are still vague. The possibility of civic responsibility remains remote.

After airing various tired complaints about youngsters who rely on the Internet as their primary source of news -- including "e-mail being clogged by the blogs" -- Mr. Dvorkin ends his rant against those darn internet kids with this:

Perhaps these younger people will outgrow these youthful informational indiscretions and come to their senses -- and back to media that can serve them best...

I have my doubts...

Coincidentally, the Washington Post has this article about "media that can serve you best":

Bob Edwards , the longtime "Morning Edition" host who was booted amid much controversy last year from National Public Radio, says he's still getting static from his former employer. Edwards is furious because NPR barred his old colleague Scott Simon , host of "Weekend Morning Edition," from appearing on his XM Satellite Radio show last week to promote a book.

"This is clearly just pettiness directed at me," Edwards told us yesterday. "It baffles me that they are going to these petty extremes, especially when I am still an outspoken supporter of public radio and NPR specifically." ***

But NPR's Susan Stamberg gave an hour-long interview with Edwards that will be aired today. Stamberg was on to reminisce about her years in public radio and "All Things Considered," which she hosted with Edwards for five years.

[NPR spokeswoman Andi Sporkin] said Stamberg's appearance was well before the more restrictive policy was adopted.

Confused? So are some NPR veterans. "I was surprised to hear that they said no to Scott but at the same time they said yes to Susan Stamberg," commentator Daniel Schorr told us yesterday. "I find it all a little weird. . . . After they let Bob go, anything is possible. I shrug my shoulders and say, 'What's going to happen next?' "

I look forward to next week's installment on " media amorality" and the "remote possibility of civic responsibility" from NPR's Ombudsman.