Le Anne Schreiber
Ombudsman Le Anne Schreiber is the public's representative to ESPN, offering independent examination and analysis of ESPN's media outlets. The former New York Times sports editor and author will critique decision-making, coverage and presentation of news, issues and events on ESPN television and other media. Schreiber will have a two-year tenure and succeeds George Solomon.
Columns
Schreiber: Gammons/A-Rod no Frost/Nixon February 15, 2009
ESPN's Peter Gammons should have pressed harder on certain questions in his recent interview with Alex Rodriguez, writes the ombudsman.
Schreiber: Teller becomes the tale January 12, 2009
When ESPN becomes its own story, writes the Ombudsman, fans feel the kingdom of sports is in ever greater danger of being usurped by its messenger.
Schreiber: ESPN can have rules, edge December 15, 2008
If ESPN sets clear boundaries for news coverage and news-related commentary, writes the ombudsman, there are ways for media company to be as edgy as it wants.
Schreiber: No margin on mistakes November 12, 2008
Thanks to its wafer-thin margin of error, winning the perception game with users, writes the ombudsman, can be difficult for ESPN -- even when it endeavors to do the right thing.
Schreiber: The see-all, tell-all media October 13, 2008
Even those who believe we are living in a post-privacy age, writes the Ombudsman, were stunned by ESPN's recent coverage of Tennessee Titans QB Vince Young and the idea of a man's most closely held thoughts becoming news.
Schreiber: Stop suffocation of synergy September 10, 2008
ESPN has been so successful at building a better fantrap, writes the Ombudsman, that some viewers looking for a sports escape need to escape ESPN to enjoy sports.
Schreiber: Breaking down the bias August 13, 2008
In investigating allegations of East Coast bias at ESPN, the ombudsman concludes that, if there is collusion across platforms and programs, it is in the creation and promotion of superstars with the potential for crossover appeal among all fans.
Schreiber: Establishing boundaries of comment July 13, 2008
Without a formal handbook of guidance and policy, writes the ombudsman, there is not much chance ESPN's producers, editors, columnists and commentators will ever be on the same page.
Schreiber: Too much hot air on hot topics June 11, 2008
The prospect of saying goodbye to "SportsCenter Specials," writes the ombudsman, means ESPN can stop asking its on-air talent to fill five gallons of airtime with a half-pint of breaking news.
Schreiber: Ups and downs in journalism May 15, 2008
Even as it offers more signature journalism on shows such as "Outside the Lines," ESPN, writes the ombudsman, risks the still-fragile reputation of news programs such as "E:60" by making serious missteps.
Schreiber: ESPN must engage on race April 13, 2008
ESPN, writes the Ombudsman, should not have its motives impugned when it takes on racial matters, whether in TV documentaries or online columns. The bar is set too high. The only alternatives, she writes, are to clear it or take the lumps trying.
Schreiber: "SportsCenter" improves March 17, 2008
After recently watching 10 straight days of "SportsCenters," the ombudsman was pleased to see crisp, clean shows dominated by highlights and news, with remarkably few gimmicks, sponsored segments or cross-promotions.
Schreiber: MNF faces fan dilemma February 10, 2008
At its best, "Monday Night Football" invites fans to be the fourth person in the booth. At its worst, writes ESPN's ombudsman, it excludes fans from a loud private party, not letting them get a word in edgewise and blocking the view of the game.
Schreiber: ESPN (mostly) rises to occasion January 13, 2008
Though thankful ESPN generally rose journalistically to the occasion in coverage of the Mitchell report, the Ombudsman believes the network didn't do enough to distinguish between objective analysis and subjective commentary.
Schreiber: Lacking perspective proportion December 10, 2007
Holding ESPN to a lofty journalistic standard, the ombudsman writes that, in several recent high-profile news stories, the sports network lacked proportion, perspective and decency.
Schreiber: 'E:60' has style and substance November 12, 2007
The news magazine show E:60, writes the Ombudsman, infused welcome fresh air into ESPN lungs that have been chronically taxed by over-exhalation of stale opinion.
Schreiber: Audience starves for reported fact October 05, 2007
The main function of sports news, it seems, is to serve as the molehill on which mountains of opinion are built. We don't have news cycles anymore, writes the Ombudsman, we have opinion cycles.
Schreiber: Vick coverage shows best, worst September 07, 2007
ESPN's avalanche of reporting, analysis and commentary about Michael Vick's legal issues showed the network operating at its best, at its less than best, and as usual.
Schreiber: For ESPN, what's next? August 07, 2007
No single topic has ever drawn the volume and intensity of unsolicited complaints to the Ombudsman's maibox than SportsCenter's recent "Who's Now" tournament.
Schreiber: Keep your eye on the ball July 09, 2007
The Ombudsman says that many ESPN broadcasts of live games seem more scripted than spontaneous and that announcers should be allowed to keep their eyes on the ball.
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