12-28-2008 KC STAR CORRECTIONS TRENDING DOWN IN 2008 According to Readers' Representative Derek Donovan (12/28) so far the Kansas City Star might record one of its lowest number of corrections in at least the last five years (link). Donovan noted that with one week left to go in 2008 the number of corrections is at 435. In 2007 the newspaper recorded a record low of 480 corrections (40 per month). In 2006 the number was 581, with 579 in 2005 and 584 in 2004. The issue of measuring corrections at a newspaper is often a difficult one. While looking at it from purely a numbers game it shows readers that the paper is more accurate than ever before. However, that can be very misleading. As an example, many newspapers (like the Star) penalize reporters for making mistakes in their stories. It will likely be used against them in their evaluations. Too many mistakes and you are out of a job. That means many reporters will do virtually anything to avoid having to write a formal correction.They will attempt to talk sources and readers out of demanding corrections. They will offer to do future stories to "make-good" on errors. It can truly turn into "Let's Make a Deal." The fact that corrections in 2008 are down at the Star is not surprising at all. With ongoing cutbacks many reporters will do anything to keep their jobs. With fewer reporters there are fewer stories. The number of pages devoted to editorial copy continues to decline. More Associated Press stories means fewer errors. This might be a banner year for reduced corrections in the Kansas City Star and it is truly a positive trend. However, as Mark Twain used to say, "There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics."
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