Its founding board is an impressive roster of political and business figures. Its funding comes from foundations, corporations, associations, and individuals across the state of Washington. And the board is divided evenly between the public at large and media members. Its goals and practices, too, are sound. Its complaint hearings are open.
Media participation is voluntary.
Complainants must forswear lawsuits. The others are retired or now in another line of work. Three worries emerged. Hamer is a former Seattle Times editorial writer who was in line for the job of editorial-page editor there. After being passed over, he left the paper to work in a media think tank and to write media criticism.