Regret the Error

Page Six yesterday noted the interesting Editor’s Note contained in the latest issue of Details. But subsequent reporting has called the Note into question. The Note basically implied that two quotes attributed to Ben Affleck in a profile were fabricated. Obviously, that’s quite serious.
But Josh Kolbin at the Observer writes in a blog post that he was told by a Details publicist that “the quote in the story—written by freelancer Bart Blasengame—was actually accurate.”
“The comments were taken out of context,” said the spokeswoman. “There was absolutely nothing that was fabricated.”
As the Observer notes, “In that case, it would be [Details editor Dan] Peres who was inaccurate.” Gawker was told the same thing, in addition to receiving the information that Details’ editor-in-chief and Affleck are good friends.
“Were things taken out of context—or were they invented, as Peres says?” asks Gawker. “Because there’s a really serious line there to be considered before destroying someone’s career in journalism to appease a snippy star.”
Indeed. Building on that blog post, the latest edition of the Observer in print includes a comment from Details* editor Dan Peres. “I stand by the correction that I published, and I stand by the statements made on behalf of me and Details.”
Ah, so “nothing was… fabricated,” and yet Affleck never “made such a statement.”
The Observer tracked down Affleck’s publicist, who sides with the Editor’s Note:

Shawn Sachs, a publicist for Ben Affleck, was more definitive. “Ben didn’t say that [quote],” Mr. Sachs told The Observer. “It’s completely made up. In having to pick a side, I pick Dan Peres and the magazine over what their spokesperson is trying to spin.”
When informed of Mr. Peres’ statement, Mr Sachs e-mailed: “The magazine apology said ‘Never made such a statement.’ … The Details publicist said ‘Taken out of context.’ … They sure don’t sound like the same thing.”

On another note: Portfolio previously reported that Blasengame’s byline was mistakenly left off the story. He must be in love with Details right now.
And we’re still left wondering exactly what was and wasn’t said by Affleck, and what should and shouldn’t be corrected by Details. Is it really so hard for the magazine to give a clear explanation?

*Correction November 5, 2007: The title of the magazine was initially misspelled as “Detials” in this sentence.