"There is a broad feeling in the public that newspapers not only make too many
mistakes, but that they also are unwilling to correct them fully and promptly" (Haiman 13).
The first 16 pages of Haiman was a good read and also included many facts about newspapers and things that they do wrong. The quote, above, really stuck out to me because of how the newspaper makes so many mistakes. Now, I am trying not to be too harsh because I know it's hard, but they get paid for it.
That prompts a question then about newspapers. If someone is getting paid for working on the newspaper, then should it be error-free?
I think that a newspaper should correct their errors on a weekly basis, but if not daily. Agree?
When a magazine publishes each pamphlet, monthly, then there usually are some errors or mis-communication. I usually noticed that the very next issue (the next month) has a page that is dedicated to corrections and/or mishaps.
Every reader is bringing something personal to the paper when they read it and the paper cannot please everyone. I seemed to be being pulled from two sides because I think well they are getting paid, but then I think mistakes can happen - easily.
Should a paper be published without errors or if errors are found, then should the corrections be published in the following day's paper or even online?
Click here for the course webpage devoted to Haiman.
Derek, I wrote about the same topic. You should check out my page. I think that yes, they are getting paid therefore they should not make things up and not make a ton of errors. But being that we humans aren't and won't ever be perfect, it is understandable that errors occur. However, there is a definite difference between permissible errors and those that appear because a person refuses to proofread their own work. If I wrote, "Derek Tickel rote a blog about news papers" it is obvious that I did not even bother to check my facts or proofread my work. It is obvious that I did not even bother to read the spelling of your name above or run my sentence through spell check.
I really like how you agree that since they, newspaper workers, are getting paid, then they should be more careful. What if we, as students, made mistakes on our academic papers? We would get a lower grade and it doesn't make English majors look good. I think that the newspapers need to be more careful in how they proofread their documents and before they are published.
I think that they should do the best they can to make sure that the papers are as error free as possible, as that is part of the job, but mistakes do happen and some aren't all that easy to spot--especially with as much as they have to do in such a short period of time. Anytime errors are not caught in time to correct them prior to printing, however, the corrections should be published the following day whenever possible.
Exactly, Derek! I try to, as a student, hold myself up to the journalistic standards so those who get paid for it should, too!
Jen, I see your point. When I proof-read my own papers I find that if I print it up I find more mistakes.