Regret the Error » Newspapers

Congrats, President Franklin

Craig Silverman — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:00:37 +0000

We again incorrectly conferred the US presidency on Benjamin Franklin, this time in the unusual context of a boxing article (Money men demand Mayweather after Pacquiao destroys Cotto, 16 November, page 13, Sport). Link

Apology

Craig Silverman — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:00:40 +0000

Our August 5th article “Strictly out of Step about changes to the television programme “Strictly Come Dancing” said that Sharon Osbourne had decided against appearing on it because the money on it was “ridiculous”. We are happy to accept that this is incorrect. Sharon Osbourne decided against appearing on it because of her work commitments and busy schedule in America. We apologise for any embarrassment caused. Link

Fun with photos

Craig Silverman — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:00:24 +0000

Our obituary of the US songwriter and producer Luther Dixon was accompanied by the wrong photograph. It showed the singer Chuck Jackson, who is alive. We apologise for this mistake (12 November, page 38). Link

The wrong five year-old to mess with

Craig Silverman — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:00:00 +0000

DUE to a production error in last week’s Rouse Hill Times the incorrect photo was published in the story hailing young Tom Hancock’s efforts in martial arts.
The Glenwood five-year-old won two gold and two silver trophies at the recent Australian Open World Martial Arts Championships.
The Times apologises for the error and regrets any confusion that may have been caused.

Fuzzy numbers etc.

Craig Silverman — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:00:31 +0000

LAST week’s NIE resource on Science questions answered by CSIRO incorrectly stated that there are 12 zeros in one billion billion. There are 24 zeros if a million times a million is doubled. Many now regard a billion as a thousand times a million. This would be 18 zeros when doubled.

Apology

Craig Silverman — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:00:55 +0000

FOLLOWING last Sunday’s story (”Charles goes on health drive after hospital scare”) Clarence House has asked us to make it clear that the Prince of Wales was not rushed to hospital in the summer. Nor were there any fears he was having a heart attack. The hospital visit of which we were informed was a routinely scheduled check-up.
We are happy to make this clear and apologise to His Royal Highness. Link

That’s a lengthy college career

Craig Silverman — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:00:37 +0000

An article on Nov. 1 about libraries with rare-book collections open to the public misstated the period of time covered by Oscar Wilde’s college notebook, at the William Andrews Clark Memorial Library in Los Angeles. It was written during 1876 and 1878, not 1876 and 1978. And because of an editing error, the article rendered incorrectly part of the Latin title of Galileo’s “Starry Messenger,” at the Linda Hall Library of Science, Engineering and Technology in Kansas City, Mo. It is “Sidereus Nuncius,” not “Sidereus Nucius.” Link

Apology

Craig Silverman — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:00:17 +0000

A story in the November 9 edition of the Toronto Sun quoted several unsupported allegations about “alleged misspending” and “influence peddling” involving the Toronto Port Authority. The Toronto Sun has no knowledge and is aware of no evidence to substantiate those allegations. The article also wrongly cited claims that the TPA “cost taxpayers $10 million a year” when in fact it has been profitable in 2008 and 2009 and pays a royalty to the federal government. The Sun apologizes for the errors, innuendo and any injury or inconvenience that may have resulted from the publication of the article. Link

Apology

Craig Silverman — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:00:10 +0000

ON 18 September 2009, we published an article in which Warren Furman, also known as the Gladiator “Ace”, was reported as denying “internet rumours” that he had raped Jordan. In doing so, the article implied that these “rumours” were sufficiently serious to require a response from Mr Furman.
In fact the “internet rumours” consisted of very few ambiguous posts on an internet chat forum.

They have since been deleted. We wish to make it clear that neither the posts nor any other matter, provided the basis for the false suggestions that Mr Furman may have raped Jordan. We apologise unreservedly to Mr Furman for the distress and offence caused to him by the article appearing to suggest otherwise.

Reviewing the reviewers

Craig Silverman — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:00:57 +0000

A review of LeBron James and Buzz Bissinger’s book “Shooting Stars” in the Nov. 1 Outlook section should have disclosed that a book by the reviewer, Allen Barra, had been reviewed by Bissinger in another publication.

And:

A review of Jon Krakauer’s book “Where Men Win Glory: The Odyssey of Pat Tillman” in the Sept. 13 Outlook section should have disclosed that the reviewer, Andrew Exum, had served as an unpaid adviser to Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, whose role in the aftermath of Tillman’s death is described in the book. Link to both

Permanent retirement

Craig Silverman — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:00:17 +0000

The wrestler Andre “the giant” Roussimoff has not retired from films, as we said. He died in 1993 (Ah, Mr Valuev, we’ve been expecting you. . ., 10 November, page 11, G2). Link

Rest is fine

Craig Silverman — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:00:38 +0000

In the Nov. 7 article that ran in Globe T.O., T.o.night No Afternoon Delight, several errors were made. The newspaper consists of 30 per cent advertising, not 50 per cent as written, and most, not all, of its content comes from wire services. Its proprietor, John Cameron, attended the University of Western Ontario three years ago, not last year, and the late broadcaster Bill Cameron is his cousin, not his father’s uncle. Link

Late entry for apology of the year

Craig Silverman — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:00:37 +0000

ON 17 July 2008 in our front page article “Ron the Lash” we falsely reported that whilst recovering from an operation to his ankle Cristiano Ronaldo had “gone on a bender” at a Hollywood nightclub where he splashed out pounds 10,000 on champagne and vodka and threw his crutches to the ground and tried to dance on his uninjured foot.
We now accept that Cristiano did not “go on a bender”, did not drink any alcohol that evening, did not spend pounds 10,000 on alcohol, nor throw his crutches to the floor or try to dance.

We also accept that he did not act irresponsibly nor jeopardise his recovery and in fact made a full recovery from his injury in record time. We apologise to him for the embarrassment and offence caused and have agreed to pay him substantial damages and his legal costs. Link

Apology

Craig Silverman — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:00:28 +0000

Our article of October 17 headed “Priest brands resort ‘most godless in UK’ incorrectly attributed the quote to Rev. Archie Coates vicar of St. Peter’s, Brighton. In fact he said that it had been dubbed that by others. The report that he had been reprimanded for the comment was therefore unfounded. We apologise to Rev. Coates for any embarrassment our article may have caused him.

Supplemental correction

Craig Silverman — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 12:00:53 +0000

The article titled “JFF doc warns athletes about dietary supplements” which appeared in Sunday Observer of November 1, which claimed that two products – Visalus’ Vi-Shape and Neuro energy drink – were tested and approved by local anti-doping authority JADCO on behalf of the Premier League Clubs Association (PLCA), was erroneous.

The PLCA is seeking to set the record straight by claiming that: “The Jamaica Anti-doping Commission (JADCO) at no time tested or approved the supplement Vi-Shape or any other supplement for use by the PLCA, but rather confirmed that the ingredients listed on the products’ containers did not appear on the WADA list of banned substances 2009.”

JADCO, for their part in clarifying the matter, stated: “JADCO at no time tested or approved the supplement Vi-Shape or any other supplement for use by the Premier League Clubs Association.

“JADCO was approached by the Premier League Club Association with a list of ingredients said to be constituents of the supplement Vi-Shape for us to verify whether or not these substances were on WADA’s list of prohibited substances. JADCO verified that the ingredients did not appear on the list of banned substances, but that verification was based on the following disclaimer: JADCO does not endorse any product. We can only verify if the substances presented on the label in a particular product are prohibited. Verification is based on the ingredients of the given products presented to us.

This assessment is only valid for the Supplement Facts Sheet attached by the manufacturer. We cannot endorse or verify any hidden substances or ingredients but only verify the supplemental facts and cannot be held accountable or responsible for adverse findings due to hidden substances. As a result of the clarifications from both bodies, The Observer would like to withdraw any part of the story that inferred that the Visalus products were tested and approved by JADCO.

We regret the error and any inconvenience that may have accrued as a result.