Here’s a collection of howlers — corrections that newspapers and magazines published because someone fell asleep at the switch. (Have one? Please add it below by posting a comment.)
Make sure you never have to publish a correction like one of these.
New York Times, April 7, 1995: Because of a transcription error, an article about Senator Alfonse M. D’Amato’s remarks about Judge Lance A. Ito misquoted the Senator at one point. In his conversation with the radio host Don Imus, he said: “I mean, this is a disgrace. Judge Ito will be well known.” He did not say, “Judge Ito with the wet nose.”
New York Times, March 11, 1975: In yesterday’s issue, The New York Times did not report on riots in Milan and the subsequent murder of the lay religious reformer Erlembald. These events took place in 1075, the year given in the dateline under the nameplate on Page 1. The Times regrets both incidents.
Chicago Tribune: A map on Page 7 of Sunday’s Travel section incorrectly placed the Atlantic Ocean near San Francisco. The city is beside the Pacific Ocean.
New York Times, Oct. 22, 2000: An article about Ivana Trump and her spending habits misstated the number of bras she buys. It is two dozen black, two dozen beige and two dozen white, not two thousand of each.
Washington Post, Sept. 25, 2006: A Sept. 22 Sports article incorrectly said that Bethesda-Chevy Chase quarterback Melvin Harris threw a 99-yard touchdown pass to himself. Harris’s pass was to receiver Abreon Scott.
Washington Post, Sept. 16, 2006: The Sept. 15 Weekend section incorrectly indicated that the movie “This Film Is Not Yet Rated” is rated NC-17. It is unrated.
For an article about Mahatma Gandhi, The Independent of London ran a photo of Ben Kingsley, the actor who played him in the film, instead of the iconic statesman.