Stars & Stripes Ombudsman Named

A former foreign editor for the Washington Post was named Thursday as ombudsman for the Stars & Stripes military newspapers, a post created in response to allegations of censorship.

Philip M. Foisie was executive editor of the International Herald Tribune after spending 26 years at the Washington Post, including a long stint as foreign editor. He is credited with originating the ombudsman position at the Post.

Foisie’s job will be to monitor the journalistic performance of the newspapers and to argue with military brass over news coverage and decisions on behalf of reporters and editors.

He also will be able to write a column, spotlighting errors or discussing the manner in which news judgments are made. Foisie will be paid about $70,000 a year, the Pentagon said.

Reporters who have worked for the papers say they must walk a tightrope between reporting the news and satisfying military commanders who are worried about sensitivities in the host country.