Ombudsman 'Briefing'

I was dismayed by ombudsman Deborah Howell's Dec. 11 column, "The Two Washington Posts."

Without providing any examples to make her case, other than to mention the opinion of John F. Harris, The Post's political editor, Howell claims that Dan Froomkin's "White House Briefing" column on washingtonpost.com is highly opinionated and liberal. Howell mentioned that Post "political writers" don't like the column, without providing any other sources.

I am a paid subscriber to The Post, meaning that I receive a daily paper at my door. I consult the Post Web site every day to read Froomkin's column and to read Howard Kurtz's column, which isn't always printed in the daily paper. I also browse the most commonly e-mailed articles. I have no problem discerning that Froomkin works for the online Post and that he is not a White House reporter. I know this because he often mentions it in his column; he is very clear about the role of the column and its purpose.

I am a good example of someone who uses both the print paper and the Web site to be an informed citizen. Both versions provide critical information and meet different needs. Froomkin's column provides a vital service to the Washington area. It provides updates that aren't provided by other Post journalists. Froomkin also poses questions that should be asked of the people who work in the White House, regardless of what party is in power.

Howell's column came across as a summary of sniping among editors, and not as a service to Post readers. I used to read Michael Getler's ombudsman column every week, and I miss it. He was always fair and responsible with his opinions and seemed to evaluate concerns from readers carefully, without resorting to easy labels. I didn't always agree with his opinion, but I respected his judgment. Hopefully I can come to expect that from Howell's column.

-- Jill Crouch

Washington