Some of the most common mistakes made in the news media are number errors, math problems, and wrong pictures. iMediaEthics’ latest round-up of errors in the news feature those types of corrections.
1. Part or the whole?
The UK Times of London reported that 900 people were killed on Britain’s motorways in 2018. But, that is actually the total number of people killed or seriously injured. An Oct. 1 correction reduces the death toll:
“Our headline, “900 killed as hard shoulders vanish from motorways” (news, Sep 27), was incorrect. In 2018, 910 people were killed or seriously injured on Britain’s motorways; there were 107 deaths.”
2. Million or billion?
A Sept. 30 NPR correction:
“We incorrectly say that Ukraine had qualified for $250 billion in aid. The correct amount is $250 million.”
3. The Daily Mail used the photo of the wrong woman in a story on a car accident. The Sept. 27 correction and apology reads:
“On 20 May 2019, we published a story about Mr. Maiava that included reference to a tragic car accident involving his daughter. In that story, we published a photograph of a woman and stated that it was Mr. Maiava’s daughter.
“In fact, it was not his daughter and was not a person known to Mr. Maiava. Mr. Maiava did not provide us with this photograph and it was an error on our part.
“The Daily Mail Australia acknowledges the embarrassment and distress that the error has caused and apologises to Mr. Maiava and his family. “
4. David Cameron and Brexit regret?
A Sept. 29 NPR correction:
“In an earlier Web version of this report, we incorrectly wrote that David Cameron’s greatest regret was calling for the Brexit referendum vote. In fact, he says his greatest regret is that those who advocated to stay in the EU lost the vote.”