What counts as a correction
A correction fixes a fact that was wrong: a name, a date, a figure, a quote, a place, a title, or a misstatement of what someone said or did. Adding genuinely new information to a developing story is an update, not a correction, and is marked as an update.
Three levels of fix
Minor. A typo, a misspelled name, a wrong date. Fixed directly in the text, with a short note at the foot of the article saying what changed and when.
Significant. Anything that changes the substance, fairness or overall impression of a story. Fixed in the text and flagged with a visible notice at the top of the article, stating what was wrong and what was corrected.
Serious. An error that cannot be repaired by editing in place. The article is withdrawn and replaced by an explanation.
How to report an error
Write to [email protected] or use the correction link on the article. Include the URL and a short description of the problem. A human editor reviews every report; if we disagree, we write back with our reasoning. Contact details are also listed under Contact.
How fast we act
As quickly as a careful check allows. The age of an article is never a reason to leave a known error standing.