Editing Detective, Jennifer Carbert

Due to the pace of the journalism business mistakes are bound to happen. However, Ricki makes a good point in her blog post, Editing Detective when she says "These errors don't necessarily impair judgement of the readers, yet they make the original compositions look unreliable, as though no one cared enough to correct these mistakes at all."  The small mistakes made by the writer, or missed by the copy editor, makes the publication look lazy and discredits the facts of the story.

The editor of Reuters India missed a repeat word when reviewing the Polish plane crash highlights 'lamentable' fleet. The error seems to be from an earlier revision. The writer or copy editor decided the sentence worked better with said in a different place. However, when revising the story the writer or editor forgot to remove the original word. Although this is a simple error, as Ricki said, it reflects poorly on the publication.


Writers also have a responsibility to their readers. Readers want to know they are more than simply a number or a pay-check. A common phrase heard among journalists is, "I got into this business to inform the public." If this is so, then care about them are double check all work that has a potential to be published. Sloppy work reflects to the reader that the writer did not care enough about them, or the story to glance at it again.

Writers must remember the stories they publish represent not only their own diligence, work ethic, and competence, but also reflect on the intellect, and dedication of the publication. Let each story, caption and picture reflect an attitude of self-respect and honour.

Note: Image from cartoonstock by Joseph Farris