Correction policies
Newsroom corrections policies compared
Short answer
- Outlets compared
- The Washington Post, The Globe and Mail, Nation (Kenya), BOOM, Snopes, ProPublica
- Print placement, Globe and Mail
- Page A2 2
- Print placement, Nation (Kenya)
- Usually page two 5
- Online label, BOOM
- Advisory plus editor's note at the bottom 3
- Online label, Snopes
- Update box at the foot of the article 4
How the comparison was made
This page compares policies that outlets publish about themselves. Each row quotes the outlet's own page. It does not test whether an outlet follows its policy. Press regulator rules are covered only where an outlet's policy refers to them.
Side by side
| Outlet | Where corrections appear | Labels | Unpublishing |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Washington Post (US) | On the story, with print errors corrected too 1 | Correction, clarification, editor's note 1 | Does not grant take-down requests as a matter of policy 1 |
| The Globe and Mail (Canada) | Page A2 in print. Online stories fixed, with a correction added to archived stories 2 | Corrections vetted by the public editor 2 | Does not usually unpublish. A committee of editors and lawyers reviews written requests 2 |
| Nation (Kenya) | Usually page two, whatever page the error was on 5 | Correction and apology 5 | Not stated 5 |
| BOOM (India) | Inside the story, with a note at the bottom 3 | Advisory and editor's note 3 | Editor's note is never removed 3 |
| Snopes (US) | Update box at the foot of the article 4 | Update 4 | Not stated 4 |
Labels and thresholds
The Washington Post says it is not necessary to note that a story has been updated, except where there is a particular reason to note new information or another change. It does require a correction, clarification or editor's note whenever it corrects a significant mistake 1. A senior editor must approve any editor's note 1.
BOOM splits errors in two. For a minor error such as a spelling mistake or wrong date, it fixes the story and adds a short note at the bottom. For a major error that affects core facts or a fact-check verdict, it explains what the original said, what was wrong and why it changed. If a verdict changes, the headline and rating change too 3.
Snopes notes substantive changes, such as a rating change or a corrected supporting fact, in an Update box. It does not note corrections of typographical errors, misspellings or other minor revisions its editors do not consider substantive 4.
Placement in print
The Globe and Mail publishes corrections for all items on page A2, including errors in columnists' work. All corrections must be vetted by the public editor 2.
The Nation in Kenya usually places corrections on page two, whether the error ran on page one or page 44. Its Public Editor column describes this as a convention that keeps corrections in one place, with exceptions only where legal obligations dictate 5. The column describes a case where the Media Council of Kenya's Complaints Commission directed a correction to run on the front page of the Business section 5.
Reporting an error
Snopes readers flag possible errors through a Feedback link at the bottom of each article, and an editor decides what action to take 4. The Nation's Public Editor is described as an independent news ombudsman who handles readers' complaints on editorial matters 5. At ProPublica, reporters review accuracy concerns with their editor 6.
Common questions
Do all outlets label minor fixes?
No. BOOM adds a short note for minor errors 3. Snopes does not note typographical or other minor revisions 4.
Will a newspaper delete an old story on request?
The Washington Post says it does not grant take-down requests as a matter of policy 1. The Globe and Mail says it does not usually unpublish, and the editor-in-chief makes any removal decision 2.
Why do some papers put all corrections on page two?
The Nation's Public Editor column cites quick access, visibility and tradition for its page-two convention 5.
Rules and charges change. Check the official source linked on this page before you pay or travel. Spotted an error? Email hello@mediacorrections.org.
Sources
- The Washington Post: Policies and Standards, Corrections policy (company statement)
- The Globe and Mail: Editorial Code of Conduct (company statement)
- BOOM: Boomlive Corrections Policy (company statement)
- Snopes: Transparency: Corrections Policy (company statement)
- Daily Nation (Kenya), Peter Mwaura: This is our way of telling readers we don't sweep mistakes under the rug (2 February 2023)
- ProPublica: Code of Ethics (company statement)
Related
- How news corrections work
How newsrooms find, label and publish corrections, from ethics codes to outlet policies in the US, UK, Canada, South Africa and India.
- Editor's notes explained
What an editor's note means on a news story, how it differs from a correction or clarification, and who approves one, from published outlet policies.
- Silent edits and update transparency rules
When publishers may change a story without a note and when they must flag it, from codes, press council guidance, outlet policies and journal rules.
- How to find a correction
Where to look for a correction to a news story or a retraction of a research paper: on the story, in print, in corrections policies and in Crossref data.