The document discusses the history and importance of corrections in journalism. It notes that as early as 1548, writers acknowledged the importance of not knowingly publishing false information and correcting any material mistakes. It also discusses surveys finding readers feel better about publications that publish corrections, and how subsequent corrections often do not spread as widely as the initial incorrect information. The document advocates for matching corrections to the same distribution channels as the original stories, being clear and consistent, notifying people who shared the incorrect information, and viewing corrections as an act of promotion to build trust.

1. Things have gone wrong and and I don’t want
them to be this way!
Craig Silverman
Editor of Regret the Error & Adjunct Faculty
Poynter Institute
@craigsilverman | #newsrw
http://www.poynter.org/latest-news/regret-the-error/

2. Corrections: A Brief History
•
1548 -- “I shall never admit for any affection towards
countree or Kyn, to be so partial, as wil wittingly either
bolster the falsehood or bery the truthe.”
•
1690 -- “...nothing shall be entered, but what we have reason
to believe is true... and when there appears any material
mistake in anything that is collected, it shall be corrected in
the next.” -- Benjamin Harris
•
1972 -- New York Times

3. Fundamentals
•
Feel like a human.
•
Write like a human.
•
Be clear about what was wrong, and the
correct information.
•
Due prominence.
•
A correction is an act of promotion that builds
trust.

4. Corrections = Good
•
A 1998 survey by ASNE found 63% of
newspaper readers “felt better” about a paper
when they saw corrections.

5. Law of Incorrect Tweets
The initial, mistaken information will be
retweeted more than any subsequent correction

7. Pushing out corrections

9. Networked corrections
•
Match corrections to distribution channels.
•
Be clear, consistent
•
Reach out to people who reshared,
retweeted. Activate the network effect.
•
Remember: an act of promotion.
•
Works best when full hearted.

13. Because it’s England…