Robert Rector left the role of Pasadena Star-News editor in 2007, but he now provides that same publication with columns on a variety of topics. He’s always a good read, but his compilation of “the all time best (or worst) news media corrections” is worth a look if you’re in need of some entertainment.
An email with the subject line “correction” is always an unwelcome inbox invader for any journalist, but if you have to run a correction, it may as well be entertaining.
Confusing the words socialist and socialite is a gem, and there’s no denying that there is quite a massive difference between “30 sows and pigs” and “30,000 pigs”.
However, the Ottawa Citizen and Southam News had an entry that was clanger upon clanger upon … well, you get the idea:
“The Ottawa Citizen and Southam News wish to apologize for our apology to Mark Steyn, published Oct. 22. In correcting the incorrect statements about Mr. Steyn published Oct. 15, we incorrectly published the incorrect correction. We accept and regret that our original regrets were unacceptable.”
Oops. But it still doesn’t raise as many questions as the Mail UK having to tell its readers that David Gest has never had a sexually transmitted infection and did not have Ms. Minnelli’s dog killed.
And the column even has its very own correction at the end. Perfect.
Read: Robert Rector’s all-time best (and worst) news media corrections