An official in ancient Rome elected to protect the interests of the plebeians, or in modern usage, a champion of the people or a newspaper title.
From Latin tribunus 'magistrate of the tribes', from tribus 'tribe'. Originally referred to Roman officials who represented the common people against patrician power. The modern newspaper sense developed in the 19th century, with publications adopting the name to position themselves as champions of popular interests.
The tribune represents democracy's oldest tension - the need for someone to speak for ordinary people against established power. Roman tribunes could veto any government action by simply saying 'veto' (I forbid), a power so radical that it inspired similar roles in modern democracies, from ombudsmen to public defenders.
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