As Ombudsman, Dvorkin's duties include receiving, investigating, and responding to queries from the public regarding editorial standards in programming. He also writes a weekly Internet column on NPR Online at www.npr.org, and presents his views on journalistic issues on-air on NPR programs. While some newspapers in the U.S. have had Ombudsmen since the 1960s, it is rare for U.S. broadcast media to appoint an Ombudsman.
"Establishing an Ombudsman post underscores public radio's continued commitment to the highest standards of editorial integrity and provides listeners with a direct link to NPR," says Kevin Klose, President and CEO of NPR. "Jeffrey's distinguished career in broadcast journalism spans nearly three decades, and makes him uniquely qualified to fill this important new role which extends the public service mission of NPR."
Before his appointment as Ombudsman in February 2000, Dvorkin served as NPR's Vice President for News & Information from 1997 to 2000. As Vice President, Dvorkin was responsible for upholding NPR's editorial standards and ensuring the excellence of news and information programming. Prior to his tenure at NPR, Dvorkin served as Chief Journalist and Managing Editor for CBC Radio News and Information, a division of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. He acted as CBC's representative on matters of journalistic policy for listeners and viewers, advocacy groups, and government agencies. He was responsible for all radio network newscasts, as well as current affairs and information programs, for the English CBC Radio Networks.
Dvorkin's background includes special assignments for arts journalism and consultant work with journalism groups in Slovenia, Hungary, and Poland. He was a senior writer and editor for National TV News in Toronto and a producer for the National TV News Parliamentary Bureau in Ottawa. He began his professional career as a sub-editor for CBS News in London.
Dvorkin is a graduate of the University of Alberta, holding a B.A. in European History and French literature. He earned a Master's in History from the University of Toronto, and a Master's in Philosophy from the London School of Economics at the University of London.