Regret the Error » Radio

It never ends

Craig Silverman — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:00:33 +0000

An early version of this story said that Barack Obama is an American citizen because his mother was an American citizen. Obama is an American citizen because he was born on American soil. Link

Corrections correction

Craig Silverman — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 12:00:33 +0000

This story mistakenly said that California spends as much money on corrections as its entire education system. The story should have said that the state spends as much money on corrections as it does on its higher education system. Link

History lesson

Craig Silverman — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 12:00:49 +0000

The audio introduction to this story said, "Back in 1989, before the dawn of the Internet, three young students at Beijing University were among those at the center of the drama in Tiananmen Square." In fact, accounts of the Tiananmen Square killings were relayed via the Internet in 1989. Link

Jurassic fail*

Craig Silverman — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:00:30 +0000

Our critic mistakenly said that an ice age "marked the death of the dinosaurs," rather than their advent. In fact, neither is true. The text of the review has been updated. Link

*Correction July 3: Speaking of failure, the word "Jurassic" was misspelled in this headline. It has been corrected. Thanks, Kate!

NPR kills South Korean president

Craig Silverman — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 12:00:36 +0000

We incorrectly said that South Korean President Lee Myung-bak had killed himself. It was actually former President Roh Moo-hyun who committed suicide. Link

Equality, not equity

Craig Silverman — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 12:00:29 +0000

We incorrectly referred to a gay rights group as “Equity Illinois.” It is actually called “Equality Illinois.” Link

But he is retiring

Craig Silverman — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 12:00:38 +0000

In some broadcasts, we said, “Madden ended his career working for Monday Night Football on ESPN.” In fact, he was working for Sunday Night Football on NBC when he decided to retire. Link

The harassment continues…

Craig Silverman — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 12:00:02 +0000

We said, “[I]n Paris, two Muslim girls were harassed by a Jewish gang.” In fact, the two Muslim students were boys. Link

Fuzzy numbers etc.

Craig Silverman — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 12:00:46 +0000

We said, “Compare that tripling of risk, a 300 percent increase in death [among smokers], to what the study found about red meat — a 30 percent increase.” In fact, a tripling of risk is a 200 percent increase. Link

Death by media

Craig Silverman — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 12:00:44 +0000

The story incorrectly referred to “the late Joan Didion.” Joan Didion has not died. Link

Been there, done that

Craig Silverman — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 12:00:45 +0000

In some broadcasts, we said that “Sen. Kerry may go [to Syria] in the near future.” In fact, he has already returned from Syria. Link

The company he keeps

Craig Silverman — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 12:00:12 +0000

We said former New Jersey Gov. William Cahill was “convicted of a crime.” Although Cahill’s campaign manager, his appointed state treasurer and his appointed secretary of state were convicted of corruption charges, Cahill was never charged, let alone convicted, of any crimes. Link

Clearly, NPR is not the NRA*

Craig Silverman — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 12:00:56 +0000

In some versions of this interview, we said N.Y. Giants player Plaxico Burress had shot himself with a “40-millimeter Glock.” We should have said .40-caliber. Link

*Correction: This headline originally read “Clarly” rather than “Clearly.”

Removed from the Senate

Craig Silverman — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 12:00:49 +0000

We incorrectly referred to “former Sen. Chuck Hagel.” Hagel is still in the Senate. Link

BBC airs apology for Russell Brand/Jonathan Ross affair

Craig Silverman — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 12:00:41 +0000

BBC issued an on air apology on Radio 2 Saturday morning in order to try and make amends for the Russel Brand/Jonathan Ross scandal. Below is the text of the apology. (A slightly different version that didn’t mention Mr. Sachs’ wife and family was broadcast prior to this altered version.)

On 18 October, the BBC broadcast an exchange between Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross on the Russell Brand show on Radio 2.
This concerned the actor Andrew Sachs and his granddaughter, Georgina Baillie.
Some of this exchange was left on the voicemail of Mr Sachs.
The conversation was grossly offensive and an unacceptable intrusion into the private lives of both Mr Sachs and Ms Baillie.
It was a serious breach of editorial standards, and should never have been recorded or broadcast.
The BBC would like to apologise unreservedly to Mr and Mrs Sachs, Ms Baillie and their family, and to our audiences as licence fee payers.