Comments on: Mea Culpa: The Red and the Black and the WCP‘s Fall Arts Guide http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2007/09/14/mea-culpa-the-red-and-the-black-and-the-wcps-fall-arts-guide/ 68.3 Square Miles of D.C. News and Opinion Tue, 14 Feb 2012 14:05:00 -0500 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 By: N Miller http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2007/09/14/mea-culpa-the-red-and-the-black-and-the-wcps-fall-arts-guide/comment-page-1/#comment-37470 N Miller Tue, 18 Sep 2007 18:12:51 +0000 http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/index.php/2007/09/14/mea-culpa-the-red-and-the-black-and-the-wcps-fall-arts-guide/#comment-37470 Your explanation doesn't wash, Erik. The only purpose of naming the error-maker in this instance is to harness the power of public shaming. With news articles written by full-fledged reporters it makes sense to reference the original article and its author. If the corrections pile up, readers may notice a pattern of bias or who knows what on the part of the reporter. But when the problem is with a simple listing / calendar taken from a buggy website, naming the perp just comes off as petty. If you're serious about not dumping on the little guy, next time name the offending employee's supervisor, and his/her supervisor, right up the chain of command, so everyone concerned can enjoy the experience of "admitting that you're human." Jerks. Your explanation doesn't wash, Erik. The only purpose of naming the error-maker in this instance is to harness the power of public shaming.

With news articles written by full-fledged reporters it makes sense to reference the original article and its author. If the corrections pile up, readers may notice a pattern of bias or who knows what on the part of the reporter. But when the problem is with a simple listing / calendar taken from a buggy website, naming the perp just comes off as petty.

If you're serious about not dumping on the little guy, next time name the offending employee's supervisor, and his/her supervisor, right up the chain of command, so everyone concerned can enjoy the experience of "admitting that you're human."

Jerks.

]]> By: Erik Wemple http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2007/09/14/mea-culpa-the-red-and-the-black-and-the-wcps-fall-arts-guide/comment-page-1/#comment-37189 Erik Wemple Mon, 17 Sep 2007 15:15:59 +0000 http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/index.php/2007/09/14/mea-culpa-the-red-and-the-black-and-the-wcps-fall-arts-guide/#comment-37189 The above comments constitute a common reaction to WCP's corrections policy, for which I take all blame and credit. The policy states, essentially, that corrections, just like stories, should have by-lines. It also states that the person ID'd in the correction be the person from whom the mistake originated. If you think it's a policy that dumps on the little guy, just look at the corrections box in the paper from last week: It's got my by-line on it. The point here is that the policy does just as much, if not more, to protect the little guy as it does to expose the little guy. The other point here is that a correction is not a felony indictment; it doesn't mean you're a bad, shameful person; it's an admission that you're human and that you made a mistake. Every newspaper makes them, some more frequently than others. Here, we don't treat corrections as a disciplinary matter, unless you, like, rack up tons of them in a very short time. We view them as a chance to learn. I feel that the by-lined corrections give the reader accountability, smoke out editors who screw up, and help us to carry on a conversation internally on how to avoid mistakes in the future. Thanks to everyone here who contributed to this discussion. The above comments constitute a common reaction to WCP's corrections policy, for which I take all blame and credit. The policy states, essentially, that corrections, just like stories, should have by-lines. It also states that the person ID'd in the correction be the person from whom the mistake originated. If you think it's a policy that dumps on the little guy, just look at the corrections box in the paper from last week: It's got my by-line on it. The point here is that the policy does just as much, if not more, to protect the little guy as it does to expose the little guy. The other point here is that a correction is not a felony indictment; it doesn't mean you're a bad, shameful person; it's an admission that you're human and that you made a mistake. Every newspaper makes them, some more frequently than others. Here, we don't treat corrections as a disciplinary matter, unless you, like, rack up tons of them in a very short time. We view them as a chance to learn. I feel that the by-lined corrections give the reader accountability, smoke out editors who screw up, and help us to carry on a conversation internally on how to avoid mistakes in the future. Thanks to everyone here who contributed to this discussion.

]]> By: Curm http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2007/09/14/mea-culpa-the-red-and-the-black-and-the-wcps-fall-arts-guide/comment-page-1/#comment-37173 Curm Mon, 17 Sep 2007 14:36:00 +0000 http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/index.php/2007/09/14/mea-culpa-the-red-and-the-black-and-the-wcps-fall-arts-guide/#comment-37173 I am talking about the regular listing in that week's issue of the paper and online. I think there al,so was an ad for the Bluebird Blues Festival at Prince George's Community College, but that Sunday event was not listed in the issue's blues listings. I am talking about the regular listing in that week's issue of the paper and online. I think there al,so was an ad for the Bluebird Blues Festival at Prince George's Community College, but that Sunday event was not listed in the issue's blues listings.

]]> By: Curm http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2007/09/14/mea-culpa-the-red-and-the-black-and-the-wcps-fall-arts-guide/comment-page-1/#comment-37171 Curm Mon, 17 Sep 2007 14:31:33 +0000 http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/index.php/2007/09/14/mea-culpa-the-red-and-the-black-and-the-wcps-fall-arts-guide/#comment-37171 Despite a full page ad for the Duke Ellington Jazz Festival in the special arts preview, the City Paper jazz listings did not include the outdoor concert near the Washington Monument. Despite a full page ad for the Duke Ellington Jazz Festival in the special arts preview, the City Paper jazz listings did not include the outdoor concert near the Washington Monument.

]]> By: jgeorge http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2007/09/14/mea-culpa-the-red-and-the-black-and-the-wcps-fall-arts-guide/comment-page-1/#comment-36998 jgeorge Sun, 16 Sep 2007 21:11:04 +0000 http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/index.php/2007/09/14/mea-culpa-the-red-and-the-black-and-the-wcps-fall-arts-guide/#comment-36998 Are you kidding me who would voluntarily consent to this? Are you kidding me who would voluntarily consent to this?

]]> By: Ethan http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2007/09/14/mea-culpa-the-red-and-the-black-and-the-wcps-fall-arts-guide/comment-page-1/#comment-36828 Ethan Sat, 15 Sep 2007 23:06:30 +0000 http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/index.php/2007/09/14/mea-culpa-the-red-and-the-black-and-the-wcps-fall-arts-guide/#comment-36828 Isn't it possible that Leitko consented to have his name published here? Perhaps he does feel that it's appropriate to have his name attached to a mistake he views as his own. Isn't it possible that Leitko consented to have his name published here? Perhaps he does feel that it's appropriate to have his name attached to a mistake he views as his own.

]]> By: Sigh http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2007/09/14/mea-culpa-the-red-and-the-black-and-the-wcps-fall-arts-guide/comment-page-1/#comment-36794 Sigh Sat, 15 Sep 2007 19:28:06 +0000 http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/index.php/2007/09/14/mea-culpa-the-red-and-the-black-and-the-wcps-fall-arts-guide/#comment-36794 The lack of professionalism and class involved in this post is unimaginable to me. In the real world when my assistant makes a mistake and I do not catch it, I do not point out that it was person X or Y. But I as the face of my firm just suck it up and apologize for the error because as has been pointed out. It is not the fault of an individual but a failure of the whole team. Mr. Borlick should check out the Wonder Pets and learn something about team work. The lack of professionalism and class involved in this post is unimaginable to me. In the real world when my assistant makes a mistake and I do not catch it, I do not point out that it was person X or Y. But I as the face of my firm just suck it up and apologize for the error because as has been pointed out. It is not the fault of an individual but a failure of the whole team. Mr. Borlick should check out the Wonder Pets and learn something about team work.

]]> By: OhNoes http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2007/09/14/mea-culpa-the-red-and-the-black-and-the-wcps-fall-arts-guide/comment-page-1/#comment-36740 OhNoes Sat, 15 Sep 2007 15:01:45 +0000 http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/index.php/2007/09/14/mea-culpa-the-red-and-the-black-and-the-wcps-fall-arts-guide/#comment-36740 Too bad your ass got SaAAACCKKKKKeeeddd! Too bad your ass got SaAAACCKKKKKeeeddd!

]]> By: J.Conway http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2007/09/14/mea-culpa-the-red-and-the-black-and-the-wcps-fall-arts-guide/comment-page-1/#comment-36644 J.Conway Sat, 15 Sep 2007 02:27:24 +0000 http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/index.php/2007/09/14/mea-culpa-the-red-and-the-black-and-the-wcps-fall-arts-guide/#comment-36644 I agree with the above comments. This was a classless display by the editors. At least Citypaper is free so I dont have to consider cancelling my subscription. I agree with the above comments. This was a classless display by the editors.
At least Citypaper is free so I dont have to consider cancelling my subscription.

]]> By: j. richman http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2007/09/14/mea-culpa-the-red-and-the-black-and-the-wcps-fall-arts-guide/comment-page-1/#comment-36599 j. richman Fri, 14 Sep 2007 23:06:49 +0000 http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/index.php/2007/09/14/mea-culpa-the-red-and-the-black-and-the-wcps-fall-arts-guide/#comment-36599 jesus borlik. that was tasteless. jesus borlik. that was tasteless.

]]> By: wow http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2007/09/14/mea-culpa-the-red-and-the-black-and-the-wcps-fall-arts-guide/comment-page-1/#comment-36597 wow Fri, 14 Sep 2007 23:03:07 +0000 http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/index.php/2007/09/14/mea-culpa-the-red-and-the-black-and-the-wcps-fall-arts-guide/#comment-36597 Must have some nice turnover at this place... Must have some nice turnover at this place...

]]> By: JD http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2007/09/14/mea-culpa-the-red-and-the-black-and-the-wcps-fall-arts-guide/comment-page-1/#comment-36594 JD Fri, 14 Sep 2007 22:55:48 +0000 http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/index.php/2007/09/14/mea-culpa-the-red-and-the-black-and-the-wcps-fall-arts-guide/#comment-36594 I agree--calling out this guy as an individual is classless and vindictive. The buck stops with Leitko's editor, not with Leitko himself. I agree--calling out this guy as an individual is classless and vindictive. The buck stops with Leitko's editor, not with Leitko himself.

]]> By: scott http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2007/09/14/mea-culpa-the-red-and-the-black-and-the-wcps-fall-arts-guide/comment-page-1/#comment-36574 scott Fri, 14 Sep 2007 21:14:02 +0000 http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/index.php/2007/09/14/mea-culpa-the-red-and-the-black-and-the-wcps-fall-arts-guide/#comment-36574 yeah, really classy yeah, really classy

]]> By: schlockmeister http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2007/09/14/mea-culpa-the-red-and-the-black-and-the-wcps-fall-arts-guide/comment-page-1/#comment-36567 schlockmeister Fri, 14 Sep 2007 20:51:28 +0000 http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/index.php/2007/09/14/mea-culpa-the-red-and-the-black-and-the-wcps-fall-arts-guide/#comment-36567 I totally agree Adams Morgan. I highly doubt Leitko was the only one who edited the listings. I'm sure editors took a look at it and failed to catch the mistake. When there's an error in the paper, it starts with the reporter but in reality it's everyone's mistake. How the CP expects to ever retain quality staff with a policy like this is beyond me. Newspapers like to bitch about how nobody reads them anymore, but maybe if publishers treated their employees provided their employees with a modicum of respect and support they'd become better reporter and writers and perhaps, GASP!, attract more readers. I totally agree Adams Morgan. I highly doubt Leitko was the only one who edited the listings. I'm sure editors took a look at it and failed to catch the mistake. When there's an error in the paper, it starts with the reporter but in reality it's everyone's mistake. How the CP expects to ever retain quality staff with a policy like this is beyond me.

Newspapers like to bitch about how nobody reads them anymore, but maybe if publishers treated their employees provided their employees with a modicum of respect and support they'd become better reporter and writers and perhaps, GASP!, attract more readers.

]]> By: Adams Morgan http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2007/09/14/mea-culpa-the-red-and-the-black-and-the-wcps-fall-arts-guide/comment-page-1/#comment-36555 Adams Morgan Fri, 14 Sep 2007 19:44:05 +0000 http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/index.php/2007/09/14/mea-culpa-the-red-and-the-black-and-the-wcps-fall-arts-guide/#comment-36555 I've noticed this before and always wanted to comment on it, but might I just say that The City Paper has the worse corrections policy in the world...instead of just saying "Due to an editing error...." or something to that effect, the City Paper seems to relish pointing out who made the mistake, something that's never been the policy of any newspaper or publication I've worked for... I've noticed this before and always wanted to comment on it, but might I just say that The City Paper has the worse corrections policy in the world...instead of just saying "Due to an editing error...." or something to that effect, the City Paper seems to relish pointing out who made the mistake, something that's never been the policy of any newspaper or publication I've worked for...

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