Now, turning to politics, the public editor would have us believe there is no systematic bias against either presidential candidate.

His appointment as public editor takes effect May 14 and lasts two years.

The Times has gone to unusual lengths to make the public editor totally independent.

Admittedly, serving as the paper's fourth public editor is a really strange way to do it.

There is an internal system of accountability here, separate from the public editor.

By any reasonable standard, public editor is a walk in the park.

The public editor can be reached by e-mail: public@nytimes.com.

Given the public editor's independence, I will be free to ask tough questions on your behalf.

During my almost two years as public editor, I have continued to see this problem that directly affects readers.

A few weeks ago the public editor heeded my plea to have a look at "apparent heart attack."