December 24, 2008

David Gest does not have herpes, and other newspaper errors

By: David Donadio

A funny year-end roundup of newspaper errors here, courtesy of Jim Romenesko. Personal favorites:

The Guardian:

Gore Vidal was once head-butted by Norman Mailer, not the other way round. Vidal described the altercation as “marshmallow to marshmallow” when asked about it at the Hay festival 2008 (Diary, page 9, G2, May 27).

National Post (Canada):

There is no documented evidence to suggest dance poles sold at Condom Shack cannot bear the weight of a user. An unsubstantiated claim appeared in a Post Homes feature on Saturday.

The Guardian:

Some confusion arose in a review of a television drama about knife crime as a result of mishearing the term shanking, which means stabbing someone with a knife, as shagging (Last night’s TV, page 27, G2, October 2).

Calgary Sun:

Michael Platt’s editorial on July 21, 2008 may have inadvertently left the impression that General Motors in some way supported neo-Nazis. That was not the intention of the line in question and the Sun greatly regrets not being more clear in the story. The Sun apologizes to GM, its dealers and customers. General Motors has employees in six continents, 192 countries, 23 time zones, and works in more than 50 languages. GM strives to create a culture and a business environment based upon inclusion, mutual respect, responsibility, and understanding of all people.

The Washington Post:

A photo caption in the Oct. 22 Style section incorrectly referred to Bill O’Reilly as a “right-wing pundit.” The Fox News host presents himself as an independent.

Best Recipe Error – A report from Reuters:

Celebrity chef Antony Worrall Thompson has apologized after accidentally recommending a potentially deadly plant in organic salads.


The chef and TV presenter said in a magazine article that the weed henbane, also known as stinking nightshade, made an excellent addition to summertime meals…


Henbane, or Hyoscyamus niger, is toxic and can cause hallucinations, convulsions, vomiting and in extreme cases death.


Worrall Thompson, who was discussing his passion for organic foods, had confused the plant with another of a similar name.

Read the whole thing.