Regret the Error » the age

Russian oligarch gets corrections from Australian press

Craig Silverman — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 11:00:31 +0000

An article in The Age on September 26 suggested that Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska has controlled the world’s biggest aluminium empire since winning a mafia showdown in the 1990s, and that he succumbed to political demands in order to continue running this business. The Age accepts that Mr Deripaska’s acquisition of the business was not a result of that conflict and that he denies ever yielding to such demands.

The same correction appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald.

Aussie papers misunderstand Ford Focus’ solar system

Craig Silverman — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 12:30:36 +0000

LAST week’s story about a solar recharging system for the Ford Focus stated the solar panels would be mounted on the roof of the car. This was misleading, as the panels are planned to be mounted on the roof of the owner’s house.

A similar correction appeared by the Sydney Morning Herald, though the correction has yet to be made to the offending story.

Apology

Craig Silverman — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 11:30:09 +0000

On July 3, a story on ”the Great Wall of Malvern” suggested Sue Morphet, along with her partner Charles Sitch, had sparked neighbourhood concerns by erecting a seven-metre high fence. The Sunday Age accepts that Ms Morphet has not lived at the property in question and had no involvement in the construction of the fence. The Sunday Age apologises to her. Link to uncorrected story

Apology

Craig Silverman — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 12:00:30 +0000

A report in The Age yesterday made a reference to Private Jake Kovco having committed suicide. This is incorrect. In 2008, a NSW coronial jury ruled that Private Kovco died from an ”irresponsibly self-inflicted” gunshot wound. The Age apologises to the Kovco family for any distress caused by the error. The mistake was made by a reporter.

The Sydney Morning Herald published a similar correction.

Bad for business

Craig Silverman — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 13:00:02 +0000

A picture of an EMU Australia ugg boot was used in error on Saturday with a story about a different company, Marksun Australia Pty Ltd, being taken to court over allegations it falsely claimed its ugg boots were made in Australia. EMU Australia has no involvement in the case.

Fuzzy numbers etc.

Craig Silverman — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 12:00:30 +0000

An article in The Age on October 15 stated that a Monash University study found that more than 87 per cent of people shot dead by police in the past 30 years had a mental illness. The actual number was one third of those killed had a mental illness. The report found that 87.5 per cent of those shot were known to mental health services or police. The mistake was made by a reporter.

Oh, it gets worse

Craig Silverman — Mon, 31 May 2010 12:00:57 +0000

IN A report entitled ” ‘It can’t get much worse’: Fevola” published on April 17, 2010, The Age suggested that the Fevola family car was seized by debt collectors from outside their family home. This was incorrect. The Fevolas’ family cars were sold by way of private sale.

Fuzzy numbers etc.*

Craig Silverman — Mon, 17 May 2010 12:00:09 +0000

The Age reported yesterday that last week’s state budget forecast net debt to peak at $4.3 billion or 15.8 per cent of the economy. In fact it is forecast to peak at $15.8 billion or 4.3 per cent of the economy. The mistake was made by the reporter.

Thanks, Kevin!

*Correction May 17, 2010: The word “Fuzzy” in the headline on this post was initially misspelled as “Fuzzu.” It has been corrected. Thanks, Aldous!

The wrong “Pope Nazi”

Craig Silverman — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 12:00:59 +0000

ON MONDAY, The Age reported that Richard Dawkins referred to Pope Benedict XVI as â€œPope Naziâ€. The reference was to Pope Pius XII. The mistake was made by theÂ reporter.

Thanks, Kevin!

Apology

Craig Silverman — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:00:01 +0000

In July and August 2008, The Age published articles about fine art auctioneer Mr Rodney Menzies and his auction company Menzies Art Brands. The Age did not intend to suggest that Mr Menzies was other than a reputable and ethical auctioneer who abided by the rules. The Age apologises to Mr Menzies for any hurt caused.

Yes, of course

Craig Silverman — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 12:00:18 +0000

Last week Sticky said the Skyhooks song Women in Uniform was on the Living in the 70′s album. Of course it was on Guilty Until Proven Insane. Apologies to police women etc, as well as guitarist Bob Spencer. Link

Apology

Craig Silverman — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 12:00:45 +0000

On October 4, 2008, The Age published an article under the headline "Cosmetic surgery rules cop flack". The article reported on new rules implemented by the Australasian College of Cosmetic Surgery (ACCS) requiring disclosure by ACCS members to prospective recipients of invasive surgery. The article included a photograph of Dr Cynthia Weinstein and reproduced quotations obtained from the Health Services Commissioner, Beth Wilson. Dr Weinstein complains that the article inaccurately implied she conducts invasive surgeries, the subject of the new ACCS rules, with less than satisfactory or unprofessional results. To the degree the article inaccurately carried that meaning, The Age apologises to Cynthia Weinstein.

Apology

Craig Silverman — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 12:00:17 +0000

Yesterday’s article “Seven’s Leckie nets $26.8m” may have implied that Seven Network chief executive David Leckie acted improperly in selling his Seven shares. The Age accepts that Mr Leckie’s action in selling the shares to repay loans used to buy them was not improper or against the interests of shareholders and apologises for any hurt or embarrassment.

This also appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald.

Apology

Craig Silverman — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 12:00:06 +0000

A column by Michael Backman headlined “Israelis living high on US expense account” (BusinessDay, 17/1/09) was published in error. The Age does not in any way endorse the views of the columnist, apologises for the distress the column caused to many readers, particularly in the Jewish community, and regrets publication of the column.

Background here.

A wet, error-riddled ride

Craig Silverman — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 12:00:35 +0000

AN ARTICLE in last week’s Sunday Age, “Born to be, um, mild â€” and possibly damp”, contained views about biker groups that were inserted in the editing process.
As well, the survey of motorcyclists who rode for about three hours every weekend found that many had problems emptying their bladders.
The story stated that bike riders could be “bedwetters”. The error was made during editing. Link

Thanks, Ben!