Minneapolis
(September 12, 2007) - The Minnesota News Council has elected Star Tribune
Photo Editor Deb Pastner and Colin Sokolowski, the public relations director
for Mounds View Public Schools to serve three-year terms on its hearing
panel.

Pastner, who will serve as a media member and the only
visual journalist on the News Council, is currently the Star Tribune’s photo
editor in charge of projects and Sundays. During her eight years in the paper’s photo department, Pastner has
worked as the sports, night desk and features photo editor. She is a 1993 graduate of Wellesley College,
and has begun work on a master’s degree in photojournalism at the Missouri
School of Journalism.

Joining the News Council as a public member, Sokolowski is
beginning his seventh year as public relations director and district
spokesperson for Mounds View Public Schools, a K-12 school district serving
students in seven north metro communities. During his 16-year career, Sokolowski has specialized in marketing,
communication and public relations issues related to education. He holds a bachelor’s degree in media
communication from Saint Mary’s University
of Minnesota and a master’s degree in
mass communication from the University
of Wisconsin – Stevens Point.

The News Council hearing panel considers unresolved
complaints about news coverage from the public and is comprised of 24 voting
members; half are current or former journalists, half are laypersons.

About the Minnesota News Council

The Minnesota News Council was created in 1970 to promote
fair, vigorous and trusted journalism. It presents complaints about accuracy and fairness to news
organizations, holds public hearings to consider unresolved complaints and
conducts public forums aimed at fostering trust in journalism. The News Council has 24 voting members, half
of them journalists, half laypersons. The hearing process is voluntary; the CouncilÂ’s determinations are
advisory and carry no sanctions.