#ombudsman

According to a Thursday op-ed, the Pentagon fired the ombudsman for Stars and Stripes, the independent military newspaper, after she consistently warned of “attempted control” over the paper.

The former ombudsman, Jacqueline Smith, was tasked with safeguarding the outlet’s editorial autonomy.

“Apparently, the Pentagon also doesn’t want you to hear from me anymore about threats to the editorial independence of Stars and Stripes. They fired me,” Smith wrote in her op-ed published by the paper.

Previously, I spoke about workers assemblies where regulation would be born from the cooperation of workers and community members. In a system that creates rules, standards, or agreements, there must be methods of monitoring and enforcement. The role of monitoring can be effectively taken up by a combination of circuit courts and ombudsmen.

The typical arrangement for ombudsmen takes the form of either internal or external, and either for business or government bodies. Ombudsmen are granted special powers to investigate the inter-workings of organizations. Usually they are granted power to subpoena documents, and interview witnesses under oath. They can begin an investigation either upon complaint or by their own initiative. They gather information by interviewing the complainant, personnel familiar with the matter, and by reviewing relevant files and communications. Based on their findings, the ombudsmen decides what, if any, action to recommend. If necessary, and in ideal conditions, the ombudsmen would simply need to explain to the complainant why the situation unfolded and the complainant will understand and have no further grievances. Inversely if the subject of an investigation is determined by the ombudsman to have acted improperly, they would attempt to persuade them to make amends. The power of the office lies in the ombudsman's ability to persuade the parties involved to accept the recommendation advanced by the ombudsman for resolving the complaint. If this solution is not acceptable, the complainant has the option to pursue action through the courts.

The work of ombudsmen is most effective at addressing discrete actions or decisions of those under investigation through recommendations and mediation. It is also important to have court circuits that would work to address larger patterns and functions, and to make stronger recommendations including deadlines and minimum required resolution metrics.

Here is a simple action to pressure the media to report on the mass starvation campaign Israel is waging against Gaza.

As a European Studies student and a political fanatic in general, I follow a lot of accounts that other peers of mine would likely find boring or just not important for their life, but I'm here with them all the same because there have already been cases when people directly asked me for tips for accs that post about specific topics they find interesting. So yeah, enjoy:

1. Parliament, government office, president

For obvious reasons. Even if you don't agree with them and their rhetoric, doesn't have to hurt to keep an eye on what they do from time to time

2. Ministries (that affect your life the most)

Mainly the Ministry of Education if you're still a student, otherwise definitely at least the Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Family + Ministry of Health (or their equivalent in your country)

3. European institutions (if you're an EU citizen)

Namely the European Commission (the equivalent of a national government, it has its special Representation in each member state that also tends to have its own IG acc where they post what they do there, in the local national language for bigger availability), European Parliament (self-explanatory), European Council (the body made up of the heads of governments/states), you can also add the Committee of the Regions and the European Economic and Social Committee if you care about either, European External Action Service (the EU diplomatic corps) could interest you as well. The Directorate-Generals (or DGs = the EU-level equivalent of ministries let's say) tend to have their own social media accounts too, for example: DG for Regional and Urban Policy, DG for Agriculture and Rural Development, DG for Enlargement and Eastern Neighborhood, DG for Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations,...

4. Ombudsman

THE person responsible for the oversight of the human rights in the country, together with other institutions, of course.

5. Statistical Office/Eurostat

Idk, I just love myself some yummy data, they speak for themselves (my fellow social anthropologists would disagree here, but we are not straying there)

6. Self-governing regions/municipalities + their organisations

How often do you think about your SGR? Not much probably. Yet they are (in most EU countries at least) the ones in charge of specific schools, hospitals, public services, roads management. They are closer to you than the national parliament, more easily reachable. Worthy of keeping an eye on I would say. If you are from a big city/muncipality that does have a social media account, I would consider following them as well.

7. Antimonopoly Office, Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Employers' Association, Confederation of Trade Unions,...

While not directly participating in politics as you usually imagine, they're still considered a part of it. They provide data, they protect the interests and rights of the public, they lobby and deal with matters that concern all of us. If they have social media accs where you're from, I'd definitely at least check them out.

Citizen Rights Advocate. near total abortion ban, even im the case of lethal defects. let that sink in.

Probably the most important thing about the Ombuds Office is the fact that it is a SAFE place for you to visit. 

Confidentiality is a cornerstone of their core principles.