Comments on: NYT public editor addresses errors made in Cronkite article; some basic advice for preventing errors http://www.regrettheerror.com/2009/08/02/nyt-public-editor-addresses-errors-made-in-cronkite-article-some-basic-advice-for-preventing-errors/ Mistakes Happen Mon, 19 Dec 2011 16:43:49 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: jobseekers555 http://www.regrettheerror.com/2009/08/02/nyt-public-editor-addresses-errors-made-in-cronkite-article-some-basic-advice-for-preventing-errors/comment-page-1/#comment-22993 jobseekers555 Tue, 08 Dec 2009 16:27:10 +0000 http://www.regrettheerror.com/?p=8758#comment-22993 Great post and excellent ideas.<br>For more jobs visit <a href="http://www.staffingpower.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.staffingpower.com</a> Great post and excellent ideas.
For more jobs visit http://www.staffingpower.com

]]> By: jennifer104 http://www.regrettheerror.com/2009/08/02/nyt-public-editor-addresses-errors-made-in-cronkite-article-some-basic-advice-for-preventing-errors/comment-page-1/#comment-22949 jennifer104 Wed, 28 Oct 2009 02:58:29 +0000 http://www.regrettheerror.com/?p=8758#comment-22949 Does “intellectual heft” in reporting compensate for inaccurate reporting?<br>Absolutely not. Your job as a reporter is to report the facts. If you can't get that right, then you should consider another line of work. Does “intellectual heft” in reporting compensate for inaccurate reporting?
Absolutely not. Your job as a reporter is to report the facts. If you can't get that right, then you should consider another line of work.

]]> By: Errors damage media credibility « Editing Matters http://www.regrettheerror.com/2009/08/02/nyt-public-editor-addresses-errors-made-in-cronkite-article-some-basic-advice-for-preventing-errors/comment-page-1/#comment-22833 Errors damage media credibility « Editing Matters Wed, 09 Sep 2009 14:04:47 +0000 http://www.regrettheerror.com/?p=8758#comment-22833 [...] author of the “Regret the Error: book and blog, weighed in on the Times story. He also offers some advice for preventing [...] [...] author of the “Regret the Error: book and blog, weighed in on the Times story. He also offers some advice for preventing [...]

]]> By: DorothyP http://www.regrettheerror.com/2009/08/02/nyt-public-editor-addresses-errors-made-in-cronkite-article-some-basic-advice-for-preventing-errors/comment-page-1/#comment-22703 DorothyP Fri, 07 Aug 2009 22:53:56 +0000 http://www.regrettheerror.com/?p=8758#comment-22703 Surely the NYT had Cronkhite's obit prepared, oh say, a decade in advance? And why have Stanley do it? She might be their go-to-gal for television criticism (and god knows why) but he was a newsman and as such, outside of her purview. <br><br>I never see her intellectual heft, either. Surely the NYT had Cronkhite's obit prepared, oh say, a decade in advance? And why have Stanley do it? She might be their go-to-gal for television criticism (and god knows why) but he was a newsman and as such, outside of her purview.

I never see her intellectual heft, either.

]]> By: NYT public editor addresses errors made in Cronkite article; some basic advice for preventing errors | Regret the Error at cosmonaught http://www.regrettheerror.com/2009/08/02/nyt-public-editor-addresses-errors-made-in-cronkite-article-some-basic-advice-for-preventing-errors/comment-page-1/#comment-22668 NYT public editor addresses errors made in Cronkite article; some basic advice for preventing errors | Regret the Error at cosmonaught Thu, 06 Aug 2009 02:43:35 +0000 http://www.regrettheerror.com/?p=8758#comment-22668 [...] course covered in beautiful detail by Regret the Error. Including a link to this NY Times Op-Ed that explains how it happened: The short answer is that a [...] [...] course covered in beautiful detail by Regret the Error. Including a link to this NY Times Op-Ed that explains how it happened: The short answer is that a [...]

]]> By: elle p. http://www.regrettheerror.com/2009/08/02/nyt-public-editor-addresses-errors-made-in-cronkite-article-some-basic-advice-for-preventing-errors/comment-page-1/#comment-22664 elle p. Tue, 04 Aug 2009 20:24:16 +0000 http://www.regrettheerror.com/?p=8758#comment-22664 "Does 'intellectual heft' in reporting compensate for inaccurate reporting?"<br><br>Sure, for about as far as you can throw 'intellectual heft.'<br><br>What kind of 'heft' can you possibly be packing if you can't get the date of the moon landing right, or suggest Cronkite stormed Normandy?<br><br>There's been another correction, by the way, dated Aug. 1. “Does 'intellectual heft' in reporting compensate for inaccurate reporting?”

Sure, for about as far as you can throw 'intellectual heft.'

What kind of 'heft' can you possibly be packing if you can't get the date of the moon landing right, or suggest Cronkite stormed Normandy?

There's been another correction, by the way, dated Aug. 1.

]]> By: devika_melora http://www.regrettheerror.com/2009/08/02/nyt-public-editor-addresses-errors-made-in-cronkite-article-some-basic-advice-for-preventing-errors/comment-page-1/#comment-22663 devika_melora Tue, 04 Aug 2009 18:57:01 +0000 http://www.regrettheerror.com/?p=8758#comment-22663 The most ridiculous thing about most of these errors is how simple it would have been to research or check. I realize she copied down the information incorrectly, but if I were short on time, I would at least take the 5 minutes to check the dates of major events. And I agree with other comments regarding the increased level of scrutiny the reporter/editors should face from the higher ups, since since a draft was written it so far in advance. The most ridiculous thing about most of these errors is how simple it would have been to research or check. I realize she copied down the information incorrectly, but if I were short on time, I would at least take the 5 minutes to check the dates of major events. And I agree with other comments regarding the increased level of scrutiny the reporter/editors should face from the higher ups, since since a draft was written it so far in advance.

]]> By: Ray Belew http://www.regrettheerror.com/2009/08/02/nyt-public-editor-addresses-errors-made-in-cronkite-article-some-basic-advice-for-preventing-errors/comment-page-1/#comment-23669 Ray Belew Tue, 04 Aug 2009 03:22:00 +0000 http://www.regrettheerror.com/?p=8758#comment-23669 I can't conceive of running a business with the reputation of the NYT where employees need and get training wheels. It is simply beyond me that someone can reach the pinnacle of newspapering and still needs someone to follow them around to make sure they don't set fire to their master's house. I can’t conceive of running a business with the reputation of the NYT where employees need and get training wheels. It is simply beyond me that someone can reach the pinnacle of newspapering and still needs someone to follow them around to make sure they don’t set fire to their master’s house.

]]> By: Ray Belew http://www.regrettheerror.com/2009/08/02/nyt-public-editor-addresses-errors-made-in-cronkite-article-some-basic-advice-for-preventing-errors/comment-page-1/#comment-23668 Ray Belew Mon, 03 Aug 2009 19:45:00 +0000 http://www.regrettheerror.com/?p=8758#comment-23668 Ms. Stanley's improved performance until the one article is laudable, but it amazes me that a reporter for the NYT needs and is supplied with training wheels. It is beyond me how anyone could commit as many simple errors as were in the Cronkite obit without working to fabricate them. I spent nearly 30 years in the business and I had my share of errors while working for lesser-known papers, but they are but a pale imitation. Ms. Stanley’s improved performance until the one article is laudable, but it amazes me that a reporter for the NYT needs and is supplied with training wheels. It is beyond me how anyone could commit as many simple errors as were in the Cronkite obit without working to fabricate them. I spent nearly 30 years in the business and I had my share of errors while working for lesser-known papers, but they are but a pale imitation.

]]> By: Garrett Guillotte http://www.regrettheerror.com/2009/08/02/nyt-public-editor-addresses-errors-made-in-cronkite-article-some-basic-advice-for-preventing-errors/comment-page-1/#comment-22657 Garrett Guillotte Sun, 02 Aug 2009 18:23:24 +0000 http://www.regrettheerror.com/?p=8758#comment-22657 Out of curiosity: Haven't reporters been fired from much lower-profile positions for making fewer, less egregious errors? Why is Stanley never (re)trained, suspended, reassigned or fired?<br><br>Doesn't the practice of giving Stanley special treatment for being consistently inaccurate encourage other writers at the NYT to underachieve? After all, what's the worst that could happen? Out of curiosity: Haven't reporters been fired from much lower-profile positions for making fewer, less egregious errors? Why is Stanley never (re)trained, suspended, reassigned or fired?

Doesn't the practice of giving Stanley special treatment for being consistently inaccurate encourage other writers at the NYT to underachieve? After all, what's the worst that could happen?

]]> By: Kevin Lately http://www.regrettheerror.com/2009/08/02/nyt-public-editor-addresses-errors-made-in-cronkite-article-some-basic-advice-for-preventing-errors/comment-page-1/#comment-22656 Kevin Lately Sun, 02 Aug 2009 15:23:01 +0000 http://www.regrettheerror.com/?p=8758#comment-22656 All Reporters & Ms. Alessandra Stanley specifically should be Charged for every Error they makes in a Story. Anyone can make a mistake but you still need to he held responsible for those mistakes. My English Professor dropped my grade a half a point for every error in: ( Spelling , Punctuation, Grammar) Ms Stanely would make fewer mistakes if it cost her money. Re: The Cronkite story; she would have to give her whole paycheck Back? "And Thats the Way it was" <br>(Oh BTW I got a C+ on my paper) - ---(Ms Stanely & NYT You got an F ) All Reporters & Ms. Alessandra Stanley specifically should be Charged for every Error they makes in a Story. Anyone can make a mistake but you still need to he held responsible for those mistakes. My English Professor dropped my grade a half a point for every error in: ( Spelling , Punctuation, Grammar) Ms Stanely would make fewer mistakes if it cost her money. Re: The Cronkite story; she would have to give her whole paycheck Back? “And Thats the Way it was”
(Oh BTW I got a C+ on my paper) – —(Ms Stanely & NYT You got an F )

]]> By: Catherine Ventura http://www.regrettheerror.com/2009/08/02/nyt-public-editor-addresses-errors-made-in-cronkite-article-some-basic-advice-for-preventing-errors/comment-page-1/#comment-22655 Catherine Ventura Sun, 02 Aug 2009 15:20:28 +0000 http://www.regrettheerror.com/?p=8758#comment-22655 Great post and excellent ideas. You say, however that "Until the Cronkite errors, she was not even in the top 20 among reporters and editors most responsible for corrections this year" then follow that with "Then things regressed, and that’s the lesson here." Technically, they only regressed as the result of that one, error-ridden article which skewed the numbers. The fact that she wasn't in the top 20 actually indicates to me that she did *not* regress, that having a feedback loop did, in fact, instill good habits, to your point. The Times, which has always vaunted it's "voice" as being accurate and trustworthy, would do well to follow your advice. Great post and excellent ideas. You say, however that “Until the Cronkite errors, she was not even in the top 20 among reporters and editors most responsible for corrections this year” then follow that with “Then things regressed, and that’s the lesson here.” Technically, they only regressed as the result of that one, error-ridden article which skewed the numbers. The fact that she wasn't in the top 20 actually indicates to me that she did *not* regress, that having a feedback loop did, in fact, instill good habits, to your point. The Times, which has always vaunted it's “voice” as being accurate and trustworthy, would do well to follow your advice.

]]> By: thomascrampton http://www.regrettheerror.com/2009/08/02/nyt-public-editor-addresses-errors-made-in-cronkite-article-some-basic-advice-for-preventing-errors/comment-page-1/#comment-22654 thomascrampton Sun, 02 Aug 2009 15:07:42 +0000 http://www.regrettheerror.com/?p=8758#comment-22654 I totally agree with the power of checklists to catch factual errors. This is particularly true when working on a long piece that has been done over a period of months or something involving many reporters. I totally agree with the power of checklists to catch factual errors. This is particularly true when working on a long piece that has been done over a period of months or something involving many reporters.

]]>