in role of (article use)

[Alexey86]

1) The Clint Eastwood version of Sullenberger's story is put in turnaround as Eastwood instead directs a film adaptation of "The Wild Duck" with himself in role of Hedvig.
(Huffington Post)
2) Differences in cultural norms or potential differences in role of males and females in social life of such unique places (the Balkan nations), combined with time (postwar, postconflict), require the use of social ecological perspective.
(BioMed Research International. The authors, Michal Bronikowski and Malgorzata Bronikowska, are very likely non-native English speakers)

Is the absence of the before role correct?

 

[GoesStation]

No. Its absence from the Huntington Post was an editing error. The feminine ending of Pani Bronikowska's name tells me she's almost certainly Polish; her native tongue lacking articles, it's not surprising if she omits one that should be there.