Tim Blair

MISTAKE NOT WORTH CORRECTING

Reader Aaron Hall recently contacted The Sydney Morning Herald about a re-written NYT piece that appeared in the SMH, and which was mentioned on this site. Here’s the relevant section of his e-mail:

A look at the original New York Times article shows that it cites growing "worry" about terror attacks by Jews, but the Herald altered this to a growing "number" of terror attacks, something not borne out by the figures in the article itself.

And here’s the response:

Dear Aaron,

Recently you contacted ReaderLink. Your interest in the newspaper is
appreciated.

The following information outlines the Herald's response:

The change was by a subeditor who had to bring back an 1100-word NYT
feature to 620 words. Given the sensitivities of the issue, sub-editors need to be very careful to maintain the copy's original content. The Editors have considered your email and have decided not to publish a clarification. However, the issue has been brought up in a meeting with the Foreign Desk.

Your ongoing feedback and opinions will help us publish a better
newspaper.

Please quote 00011773 if you wish to contact ReaderLink again regarding
this matter.

Regards,

Nerida, Penny & Josh
ReaderLink

It’s a blatant error, utterly unrelated to the SMH’s abbreviation of the piece, yet no “clarification” (let alone a correction) is offered by the SMH -- or from editorial mavens “Nerida, Penny & Josh”, who seem to appreciate the care required in handling such issues but who aren’t overly bothered when that care isn’t taken. Great newspaper you’re running, kids.