Regret the Error

A story Jan. 29 used an inappropriate word to describe patrons at the Massapequa Post 1066 of the American Legion. The word could be read as disparaging, which was not Newsday’s intention. Its use did not reflect Newsday’s policy to avoid loaded terms and imprecise language when reporting on individuals or groups. Link

The paper corrected the story in Nexis, which is good to see. Of course, it also means I don’t know what the offending word was.

UPDATE March 4: It appears the word was “barflies.” Reader Fev sent me a link to a letter to the editor sent to Newsday and massapequanews.com by Commander Jack Hipp of the Massapequa Post 1066-American Legion:

I am writing in regard to an article entitled “Taking Inventory of the Homeless” written by your reporter, Michael Amon in the Thursday, January 29, 2009 edition.  This article did a public service by raising awareness of the plight of homeless veterans.  However, in the last paragraph of this reporter’s article he refers to members of  Massapequa Post 1066 of the American Legion as “barflies.”  As the Commander of that Post, I vehemently object to the language used by this reporter towards members of my Post …

*Correction March 4: The headline of this post initially and incorrectly referred to Newsweek instead of Newsday. I regret the error. Thanks, Linda!

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