TESTIMONIALS FROM PARTICIPANTS

"I consider the Washington News Council to be among the most valuable organizations in our state. If not for the Washington News Council, there would be no one to call into account bad news reporting. In a country that prizes due process and fundamental fairness above all other values, the Washington News Council serves a most valuable public function."      

n      Bernie Friedman, General Counsel, Department of Social and Health Services, whose complaint against The Olympian was upheld by WNC in 2000.

"I am 100% convinced that The Seattle Times would have done absolutely nothing were it not for the existence of the Washington News Council and had I not chosen to stand up for myself by filing a complaint. Let me thank you for your invaluable service. I am profoundly grateful."

n      Glenn Ledbetter, Mercer Island Realtor, whose complaint against The Seattle Times was resolved with the WNC's help in 2000.

"You are performing a valuable service by helping raise the stature of the media among the public. Keep up the good work."

n      Edward Shaffer, Bellingham retiree, whose complaint against The Bellingham Herald was resolved with the WNC's help in 2001.

"We applaud the Council's admirable, but challenging , goal as a fair-minded mediator of finding a 'middle ground' that will satisfy both sides. And our thanks to the Washington News Council for its constructive and professional role in this dispute."

n      Ralph Nichols, Associate Editor, Highline Times, in a column that helped resolve a complaint against him from the Des Moines Chamber of Commerce in 2002.

"The Council provides an important and constructive service to all Washingtonians by encouraging greater accuracy and relevance in news media reporting. We look forward to working with you in the furtherance of the Council's mission."

n      Blair Thompson, Consumer Communications Manager, Washington Dairy Products Commission, whose complaint against KIRO-TV was upheld in 2003.

"The Washington News Council helped resolve the differences between the Puget Sound Business Journal and WFNN. We have complete resolution. No more action needs to follow. Without the Washington News Council, this resolution would not have happened. Thank you, WNC."

n      Joseph de Beauchamp, President, World Financial News Network (WFNN), whose complaint against the Puget Sound Business Journal was resolved in 2004.

TESTIMONIALS FROM JOURNALISTS

"I applaud you and your associates for what you're doing, or trying to do, with the Washington News Council"

n      Al Neuharth, Founder, USA Today

 "It's a great idea. I fully support what you're doing. News Councils can help the profession of journalism."

n      Jim Lehrer, Host, "The NewsHour" on PBS

 "I was pleased to hear about the Washington News Council. If even lawyers recognize the value of ethics committees, surely we journalists can tolerate a news council to keep us on our toes."

n      Bill Moyers, Public Affairs Television

"I have a great respect for the news councils in this country because they do take an interest in the breadth of our work or lack of breadth in our work."

n      Peter Jennings, Anchor, ABC News

"What has worked so well in Minnesota for 30 years can and should be applied to other states and regions."

n      Hodding Carter, President, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation

"The experience of the Minnesota News Council argues forcefully for further experimentation in other states as a way of increasing media openness and credibility."

n      Gene Roberts, Former Managing Editor, The New York Times

"How can we not be a part of something that can serve as a public antidote to media arrogance? These days, journalists can use all the help we can get."

n      Walker Lundy, Former Editor, St. Paul Pioneer Press

"We can ill afford to pass up any decent opportunity to hold ourselves accountable, and to help the public understand all that we do to uphold our principles and to get our facts straight."

n      Geneva Overholser, The Washington Post Writers Group