He examines and responds to comments and complaints about the Globe's news and editorial content, and keeps the Globe staff aware of feedback.

E-mail him at ombud@globe.com or call (617) 929-3020. To leave a recorded message, call(617)929-3022

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What They Say

The ombudsman's column today - which can be found here - offers a sampling of the kinds of comments I get from readers and that I compile as a weekly internal report for all Globe journalists and executives.

The report, which contains anywhere from a dozen to three-dozen comments on a variety of Globe-related topics, is meant to give people inside the Globe a glimpse of how readers responded to the paper's work that week and to let readers know that their comments are seen by many people inside the newspaper.

The kinds of reader comments that are most often included in these reports are those that are to the point and specific about their criticism and those that offer suggestions for how the Globe can do things better. Of course, compliments are also welcome.
Comments that personally attack a specific reporter, columnist or other Globe staff person are not included, and I tend to avoid including emails sent as part of some internet-launched mass mailing, although I do mention such campaigns in the introduction of my reports.
I may not always agree readers' comments, but I believe those viewpoints should be seen by those who work at the Globe.

Here are a few more examples of the kinds of comments that were included in this week's WTS report:

I am so tired of reading these "conspiracy theory" articles about church closings (Weymouth parish rocked by another priest's departure, 1/23/06, B1). What part of "there are not enough priests in the Archdiocese" doesn't the Globe and the parishioners of this parish understand?
Many of the priests of closed parishes now are "circuit riders" in that they are sent on temporary assignments to whatever parish has the greatest need for additional staff. Apparently Fr. Bowers is one of them. St. Albert's already has a full time pastor, even if he is 75. They wanted their church to stay open and they got their wish. Now they want to change reality - Hello - there are not enough priests in the Archdiocese!
Given this story, I'm looking forward to a sympathetic article about how much some Globe readers miss Renee Graham, the Chat and the old Living Section, to name a few. Maybe there is a "conspiracy" afoot at The Globe? Why is it okay for The Globe to restructure its workforce, but the Archdiocese is not permitted to do so? The Globe's anti-Catholic bias is showing again. And you wonder why your readership is dropping....
Peg Grace
Massachusetts

Is it really necessary for the Globe in reporting on the new AWOL machine (Machine makes it easy to inhale hard liquor, 1/25/06, B1) to give detailed instructions on how to hook up an oxygen concentrator and an inhaler to construct such a unit? Thousands o homes have such machines and inhalers and many young people are going to follow the Globe's instructions to "see what it's like". What useful purpose is served? It is as though one completed a report on a bombing by giving full instructions on how to make a bomb! Is it really better reporting to show no common sense?
Robert M. Coquillette
Lexington, MA

I have three suggestions I would like to make concerning The Sidekick:
1. I like the Sidekick but dislike the very small creases that occur regularly in this paper. They seem to occur in the Jumble or the Crossword where they are especially annoying, masking either a portion of the answers in the case of the Jumble or causing one to misread the clues in the crossword puzzle. They also occur elsewhere in the paper usually in an article one is attempting to read.
2. Would it be possible to put a staple or two in the center of the crease to prevent it from flying a part when being read? This would be similar to that the Metro uses, which places the staples in the middle of the gap, making an even fold. The way you handle the Sidekick makes it look shoddy.
3. You are squeezing the type in the Sunday Funnies to the extent that they are beginning to be no fun to read. An example is in the center of the January 22, 2006 funnies occurs that I had to use a magnifying glass to read and lost my interest less than half way through and gave it up as a bad job.
John G. DePagter
Malden, MA

I wanted to thank you for bringing Beverly Beckham to the Globe! Reading Beverly's column elicits such a strong emotional reaction every week. Her stories are so heartfelt and real, that I can see her father, her dog, feel the wind in her hair as she swings with her childhood friend Rosemary, and hear her reading Brown Bear to her grandchildren, all of which she has written about so sincerely. I would love to see her column more often! Thanks again.
Michelle Cremins
Massachusetts