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Complaint rimeline Day One: Within 48 hours of Days TO & 20: Staff asks both The Complaints Committee our receiving the complaint parties if they have made any will review the complaint materi- forms, we inform the news orga- progress in resolving the com- als and may ask for additional nization that a formal complaint plaint and renews the offer of documentation, may decide that has been filed and that, unless the mediation. an expert witness should be parties report it as resolved within present at the hearing, or may 30 days, a hearing will be sched- Day 30 (or earlier, if complain- reject irrelevant documentation. uled. ant gives notice that no resolu- The Committee will help word The news organization is asked tion is possible and requests a the final votable question(s). to respond to the complainant hearing): The final information packet within IO days, with a copy to the Staff will ask you if you're may contain up to 25 pages of News Council. A copy of the satisfied with the news outlet's information frost each party If you complaint and signed waiver, and proposed resolution. believe the Complaints Committee a copy of the Council's proce- 1) If yes, staff will record the case has withdrawn material that would dures, are sent to the news organi- as resolved. help your case, you can object in a zation. 2) If no, staff will: letter to the staff Council staff will offer the free a) confirm the next available The following materials will be services of a professional mediator hearing date, and included in the final complaint (see enclosed brochure about the b) ask you and the news outlet package (which is available to the Council's mediation process). to submit final written public): statements that include any . original complaint form; new information obtained • signed waiver form; during the process of trying letter of complaint or summary to resolve the complaint. of complaint; letter of response or summary Logistics of a Council Hearing of response from the news organization; Scheduled JJe%dgg Dates published story or stories (audio February 2nd Friday or video, if relevant) April. June, August. October 3rd Thursday . documentation supporting December 1 st or 2nd Thursday complaint and response; Hearings are generally held from noon to mid-after- , final statement of complaint; noon. Hearing dates will be strictly adhered to unless . final statement of response;onse; rescheduling is necessary due to extraordinary circum- . prior News Council determina- stances. tions on similar cases for infor- Location of a Hearing mational purposes. Most hearings take place in the Twin Cities. But when both parties live more than two hours outside the Twin Cities, a smaller group (6-12 Council members) may ou may continue to try conduct a hearing in your city, or we may arrange a to resolve the com- two-way videoconference with the full Council. Y plaint prior to the day of If you need special accommodations or services --w- the hearing. access to parking for disabled persons, or a sign- language or other interpreter, for example w-w- please ask the Complaints Associate a week in advance