What's more, reporters increasingly are producing stories in teams with fellow reporters, editors, and sometimes library researchers, graphics people and others. Reporters' peers are also their competitors. Even if panelists swear an oath of neutrality, some reporters might suspect an ulterior motive for any discipline meted out. Yes - the job of discipline belongs to our employers. People who think a reporter has done them wrong should complain to her boss.
Editors do pay attention to patterns of complaints.
I've seen problem reporters reassigned or encouraged to leave. And the Minnesota News Council needs to mobilize peer pressure among media executives to police themselves and support the Council's work. In the end, maybe there's one good thing to be said about peer review. Journalists do need to sit down and talk about improving the profession. Maybe the idea of peer discipline is just wild enough to inspire us to come up with something better.