NPR Corrections Policy
corrections@npr.org
NPR corrects significant errors in broadcast and online reports. Corrections of errors will be made in audio archives, written transcripts and on the Web site.
2005 Corrections
December 30, 2005:
EU Launches Satellite in Galileo Project
Morning Edition, December 28, 2005
The audio of this story said that the GPS system's accuracy has been limited because of security concerns. This limitation was lifted five years ago and the system can pinpoint locations to within three feet.
The Story of St. Nicholas
Morning Edition, December 23, 2005
The audio of this story has been corrected to reflect that the original legend involved a bishop who was Greek Orthodox, not Turkish as initially stated.
Previously Banned Items Now Allowed on Planes
Morning Edition, December 22, 2005
The audio of this story says that pocket knives are now allowed aboard airplanes, which is not correct.
December 14, 2005:
Algerian Revolution Echoes in French Violence
Weekend Edition Sunday, December 4, 2005
The audio of this story gave the wrong years for the Algerian revolution. It lasted from 1954 to 1962.
December 8, 2005:
W.Va. Floods Offer Lessons for Katrina Victims
All Things Considered, December 5, 2005
We reported that 11 inches of rain fell in four hours on the day of the flooding. But a rain gauge was malfunctioning, and the actual rainfall was about half that amount.
December 1, 2005:
Chasing Death: Understanding a Friend's Suicide
All Things Considered, November 29, 2005
In Jake Warga's piece about his friend who jumped from the Golden Gate, he incorrectly stated the band the Stars are British. They are Canadian.
Housing Costs Play Role in Urban Hunger
All Things Considered, November 23, 2005
In the final part of our series on hunger, we incorrectly identified the birthplace of the man we profiled. Brian Donaldson was not born in California. He was born in Camden, N.J.
November 22, 2005:
Political Fireworks Erupt in Washington over Iraq
Weekend Edition Sunday, November 20, 2005
In an interview on Weekend Edition Sunday on November 20, NPR's Ron Elving misstated the charge in the indictment of I. Lewis Libby, the former chief of staff to Vice President Dick Cheney. Libby was indicted for perjury and obstruction of justice in connection with the exposure of CIA agent Valerie Plame's identity. Libby was not indicted for revealing Plame's identity.
November 14, 2005:
Intelligent Design and Academic Freedom
All Things Considered, November 11, 2005
The audio of this story incorrectly identified Guillermo Gonzalez as an untenured professor at the University of Iowa. Gonzalez teaches at Iowa State University, and it was there that his colleagues signed a petition criticizing intelligent design.
November 9, 2005:
Cruel Retirement for Racehorses
Morning Edition, November 9, 2005
In this commentary, Rep. John Sweeney (R-NY) was incorrectly identified as a Democrat.
November 9, 2005:
Bioterror Sensors Yield Curious Findings
Morning Edition, November 2, 2005
The Department of Homeland Security says that the Biowatch system detected the Francisella tularensis bacterium in Texas, not a close relative as reported.
October 6, 2005:
Old-School Reggae Legend, Steel Pulse: Going Strong
All Things Considered, September 29, 2005
The date of Bob Marley's death was incorrectly stated in this report. The correct date is May 11, 1981.
September 29, 2005:
Medal of Honor for Holocaust Survivor, Korea Vet
All Things Considered, September 23, 2005
The audio of this story incorrectly identifies Rubin's army unit. It should be the 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division.
September 29, 2005:
A Last Ride: The Harley Hearse
Morning Edition, September 26, 2005
The audio of this story incorrectly identifies the title of Warren Zevon's last album before his death. That album was 'The Wind'.
September 29, 2005:
Bird Flu Deaths Cause Worry in Indonesia
Morning Edition, September 22, 2005
This report said that the World Health Organization has enough of the anti-viral drug, Tamiflu, to protect about 12,000 people. Actually, it has enough to protect about 120,000.
August 12, 2005:
Palmeiro No Lock for Hall of Fame
Morning Edition, August 2, 2005
Sports commentator John Feinstein said Baltimore Orioles star Rafael Palmeiro didn't answer questions at a teleconference about his alleged use of steroids. But in fact, after reading a statement, Palmeiro did briefly answer questions during that teleconference, on Aug. 1.
August 8, 2005:
A Family That Works Together Stays Together
Morning Edition, August 3, 2005
In our broadcast story and in our initial online summary, NPR said the American Optometric Association and the American Academy of Optometry endorse visual therapy. We neglected to point out that several medical societies say visual training is not effective. The American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus say there is no good scientific evidence that visual training improves reading and learning. They also say that reports of benefits can be explained by the traditional educational remedial techniques with which visual training is usually combined.
July 30, 2005:
Hispanic Media Reflected in Media Boom
All Things Considered, July 23, 2005
Our story about the growth of Hispanic media incorrectly identified a type of music known as bachata as "Colombian." Listener Alex Ulanov wrote to tell us that bachata is from the Dominican Republic, and though it has been adopted by other countries, the vast majority of its singers are, indeed, Dominican. Mr. Ulanov goes on to say that the music originated in poor shanty towns during the Trujillo regime. Often, the lyrics were encoded with hidden protests against the dictator.
July 27, 2005:
British Report Puts Iraqi Deaths at 25,000
All Things Considered, July 19, 2005
Our story about a new estimate of deaths in the Iraq war quoted former Gen. Tommy Franks as referring to U.S. casualties in Iraq when he said, "We don't do body counts." His comment was in response to casualties in Afghanistan.
July 22, 2005:
With Hockey Strike Over, Rebuilding Begins
Morning Edition, July 14, 2005
In our story about a tentative agreement that could put National Hockey League players back to work, we said they went on strike. In fact, the owners locked out the players.
Paul Anka Spins Pop
Morning Edition, July 20, 2005
This week, we interviewed singer-songwriter Paul Anka. But as Barry Rein of Altadena, Calif., points out: "Anka gave the impression that he wrote (the song) "My Way." What he actually did was write the English lyrics to a French song.
June 30, 2005:
Franklin Faces Additional Charges
Morning Edition, June 14, 2005
This week we reported that former Defense Department analyst Larry Franklin faces charges of spying. In fact, Franklin hasn't been charged with spying, but is charged with passing government secrets to unauthorized persons.
June 24, 2005:
Plan Could Reduce Waste Sent to Yucca Mountain
Morning Edition, June 16, 2005
Matthew Bunn of Harvard's Kennedy School of Government was incorrectly cited as saying that reprocessed fuel would be ten times as expensive as traditional uranium fuel. Instead, Bunn says, "the uranium price would have to go up to over 10 times the average price paid by U.S. utilities last year before reprocessing would be competitive economically." Since the uranium price is a small fraction of the total fuel price, this is a very different statement.
May 26, 2005:
Senate Confirms Owen as Appeals Court Judge
All Things Considered, May 25, 2005
In our report on the Senate's confirmation of Priscilla Owen to the federal bench, we reported the vote count incorrectly. It was 55-43.
May 12, 2005:
Kansas Weighs Alternates to Teaching Evolution
Morning Edition, May 5, 2005
In our report on the debate in Kansas over teaching evolution, we mistakenly said that evolution is a way of explaining how life began. Darwin's theory explains how the diversity of different life forms came to be but does not address the origin of life.
May 9, 2005:
Hue: Imperial City Turned Battleground
Morning Edition, April 28, 2005
Our report on the Vietnamese imperial city of Hue should have said that North Vietnamese and Viet Cong guerillas caught the American and South Vietnamese forces by surprise in the 1968 Tet Offensive. The report originally said that only Viet Cong guerillas surprised U.S. troops.
May 5, 2005:
'Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy' Hits Movie Screens
All Things Considered, April 29, 2005
This review misidentified the actor who plays Arthur Dent, the film's hero. The actor is Martin Freeman, not Tim Martin.
May 5, 2005:
England Awaits Sentencing in Abu Ghraib Case
Morning Edition, May 3, 2005
This story on the trial of Army Pfc. Lynndie England incorrectly reported that civilian and military courts have a different standard for evaluating guilty pleas. As in the military, judges in federal and many state courts must determine that a guilty plea is voluntary and based in fact.
May 5, 2005:
No Child Left Behind Under Fire in Utah
Morning Edition, April 19, 2005
In a story about tensions over the No Child Left Behind Law in Utah, the reporter incorrectly stated that a school "deemed as failing by federal officials runs the risk of losing federal funds." A public school is not judged by the federal government but by the state. If it fails to meet targets, it faces a variety of interventions but does not risk losing federal funds.
April 27, 2005:
Crisis in the Episcopal Church
Morning Edition, April 27, 2005
A report on the Episcopal Church incorrectly identified the title held by the Rev. Gene Robinson. He is the Bishop of New Hampshire.
April 26, 2005:
Release of HIV/AIDS List Probed in Florida
All Things Considered, April 26, 2005
All Things Considered broadcast a story about the unauthorized disclosure by the Palm Beach County Health Department of a confidential list of people who were HIV positive or had AIDS and letters which were thereafter sent to some of those identified. The story erroneously suggested that RealMed, a medical clearinghouse, was responsible for sending the letters. RealMed had no role in writing or sending the letters. Also, the story erroneously reported that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention does not support HIV reporting because of fears that will deter people from being tested. The CDC has advised all states to collect HIV data as an extension of their AIDS surveillance effort. And it has found no evidence name-based HIV reporting is a deterrent to testing. NPR regrets the errors.
April 21, 2005:
The Dark Side of the Airline Lighter Ban
All Things Considered, April 14, 2005
According to the Transportation Security Administration, nail clippers are indeed allowed on airplanes, contrary to this report.
April 21, 2005:
Looking Back at 'Your Hit Parade'
All Things Considered, April 20, 2005
The song "Dance with Me Henry" was a cover of Etta James' "Roll with Me Henry." The title of the original is not "Work with Me Annie."
April 15, 2005:
Decision Makers: Inside the Operating Room
Morning Edition, April 12, 2005
Morning Edition incorrectly reported that Dr. Benjamin Carson was the first to successfully separate twins connected at the head; there were other doctors before him.
April 15, 2005:
U.N. Struggles with Congo Peacekeeping Mission
Morning Edition, April 11, 2005
A story about the ongoing violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo incorrectly said that there have "never" been democratic elections in that country. There were in fact national elections in May of 1960 -- during the final days of Belgian colonial rule.
April 15, 2005:
Research on AIDS Drug Sound, Science Panel Says
Morning Edition, April 11, 2005
A story on a widely used AIDS drug misidentified Dr. Mark Kline. He works at Baylor College of Medicine, not Baylor University.
April 14, 2005:
Iraq Struggles to Meet Electricity Needs
All Things Considered, April 11, 2005
Temperatures in Iraq do not reach 140 degrees in summer, as reported. The highest temperature ever recorded anywhere is 136. Baghdad in the middle of summer averages 110.
April 7, 2005:
Opus Dei and the Pope
Morning Edition, April 5, 2005
We said the founder of Opus Dei was canonized 27 years after his death -- the fastest canonization in church history. We should have said the fastest in modern church history. Earlier saints, such as Francis of Assissi, were canonized more quickly.
Also during our coverage of the pope's death, we said the Vatican is a member of the United Nations. The Holy See only has Permanent Observer status at the U.N.
March 29, 2005:
Prospects for Democracy in Central Asia
Morning Edition, March 29, 2005
In an interview about the revolution in Kyrgyzstan, we said the country borders Afghanistan. It does not.
March 28, 2005:
Final Four Recap
Morning Edition, March 28, 2005
Commentator John Feinstein said Rick Pitino is the "first coach in history" to take three different teams to the Final Four. Pitino may be the first men's coach, but in women's basketball, C. Vivian Stringer has taken Cheney State, Iowa and Rutgers to the Final Four.
March 15, 2005:
Critics Say EPA Mercury Rule Rolls Back Protections
Morning Edition, March 15, 2005
In our report, earlier this month, on the Environmental Protection Agency's new mercury pollution rule, we reported that a fish called pollock is a health hazard. We incorrectly reported that it is usually imported: Most pollock Americans eat comes from U.S. waters in the Bering Sea.
A clarification: The EPA describes pollock, and tuna, as the biggest sources of mercury in American diets. But the agency says individual servings of pollock, and light tuna, have relatively low levels of mercury. What makes this fish a major source of mercury is that Americans eat a lot of it.
March 24, 2005:
Computerized Prescription Systems Introduce New Errors
All Things Considered, March 8, 2005
We misidentified a sociologist in a story about a study he conducted. Ross -- not Robert -- Koppel and his colleagues found that high-tech hospital computer programs were increasing, rather than decreasing, both errors and stress. Koppel wrote us, saying, "This is a unique error which has created another difficulty: My older son now calls me BOB."
March 24, 2005:
The Masters of Persian Music Tour the U.S.
Morning Edition, March 21, 2005
On March 21, Morning Edition aired a story on Iranian supergroup Masters of Persian Music and its recent performance in celebration of the Iranian new year. That report incorrectly stated the year: It should have been 1384.
March 24, 2005:
Donald Knuth, Founding Artist of Computer Science
Morning Edition, March 14, 2005
This Morning Edition report incorrectly states how the number 256 is written in the binary language of computers. It looks like 100 million, or a 1 followed by 8 zeroes.
March 24, 2005:
New Mexico Hate Crime Law Put to Test
Morning Edition, March 10, 2005
On March 10, Morning Edition aired a story on New Mexico's hate crimes law. That story incorrectly stated that Santa Fe has the second-largest number of gay couples in America. It should have stated the second-largest number of gay couples per capita in America.
March 7, 2005:
Ohio Leaders Plan to Fight NASA Budget Cuts
Morning Edition, March 7, 2005
On March 7, Morning Edition aired a story on proposed budget cuts at the federal space agency NASA. That report mentioned a contract for a new White House helicopter and incorrectly stated that Boeing won the contract. Lockheed Martin won the contract, and the helicopter is expected to roll off the assembly line in 2009.
Feb. 14, 2005:
Measuring Happiness with a Palm Reading
Morning Edition, Feb. 14, 2005
On Monday, Feb. 14, 2005, Morning Edition aired a story on a study that aimed to measure people's moment-by-moment levels of happiness. That story incorrectly stated the number of times that kidney-disease patients in the study underwent dialysis sessions. These patients underwent dialysis three times a week.
Jan. 27, 2005:
Protesters Say Gingrich Should Not Speak at Catholic University
Morning Edition, Jan. 25, 2005
In a story on Newt Gingrich speaking at Catholic University, one interviewee was incorrectly paraphrased. Father Richard John Neuhaus was quoted as saying that previous popes have invoked papal infallibility on the subject of abortion. That is false. As Troy Lovell of Valrico, Fla., writes, "In fact, since the Middle Ages, Papal Infallibility has only been invoked twice -- in the 19th century to affirm the Immaculate Conception, and in the 20th Century, to affirm Church teaching regarding the Assumption of Mary into Heaven."
Jan. 27, 2005:
MoMA Embroiled in Battle over Painting Seized by Nazis
Morning Edition, Dec. 27, 2004
In a story on All Things Considered on Dec. 27, we reported on the controversy over ownership of a painting on loan to the Museum of Modern Art. NPR failed to make clear that the artwork is not in the possession of the museum. In fact, the painting is in the custody of the federal government. In addition, we said the museum opposed a Jewish family's efforts to recover the painting, "Portrait of Wally," by Egon Schiele. However, we did not report the museum's statement, made to NPR, that it had never taken a position on the question of the painting's ownership. Finally, NPR failed to give the museum an opportunity to answer allegations in our story about its motivations and actions in the dispute over the painting's ownership.
Jan. 27, 2005:
Document Renews Debate on Vatican Role in WWII
All Things Considered, Jan. 21
A correction involving Sylvia Poggioli's recent story on a newly uncovered Vatican directive instructing French Catholic authorities not to return baptized Jewish children to their parents after World War II. A section of the piece was inadvertently omitted during production. As a result, the piece failed to adequately represent the views of Catholics advocating the beatification of Pius XII, the pope who approved the document.
Jan. 20, 2005:
Photos Surface of Iraq Abuse by British Soldiers
All Things Considered, Jan. 19
The name of a British politician was mispronounced in this story. Sir Menzies Campbell's first name is pronounced "ming-is," according to the Scottish pronunciation. Thanks to listener Paul Harris of St. Louis Park, Minn. for pointing out the error.
Jan. 6, 2005:
Palestinians Show Support for Hamas as Election Nears
Morning Edition, Jan. 4
In the introduction to Peter Kenyon's piece, presidential candidate Mahmoud Abbas was quoted as labeling Israel as the "Zionist enemy." However, the introduction failed to give the context for the remark. Abbas made the remark after an Israeli tank shell killed seven Palestinians in Gaza. NPR regrets the omission.
Jan. 4, 2005:
Logistics Tangle Relief Efforts in Sri Lanka
Morning Edition, Jan. 4
In a story about tsunami relief efforts in Sri Lanka, we misquoted Tamil Rehabilitation Organization volunteer, Suren Sornalingham. Our report quoted Sornalingham as saying the Tamil Tiger rebels in northern Sri Lanka had seized trucks carrying relief items. Sornalingham did, in fact, say that trucks had been seized and items taken. He did not, however, attribute those actions to the Tamil Tigers.
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