Making mistakes

If you really want something all you have to do is ask.

I was just thinking to myself on my way into work today that it’s been a while since someone called to complain about something in one of my stories.

And where I don’t get those calls everyday, I do get them.

I make it a point to call the person back, and if need be, write a correction.

I did just that today for a story about a burglary that happened this week in Lake Ridge.

I misinterpreted some information on the press release and then offered to correct my story for tomorrow’s paper.

I wrote the correction and then sent it to her to make sure that I had gotten the story right the second time around.

She read it, and then after everything, she told me not to bother and to leave the correction out of the paper.

So I did.

But now I ask myself: Was I correct in doing what she wanted?

And then: If the source doesn’t want a correction, was the information in my story so inaccurate in the first place?

This is one of those questions that journalists face on a daily basis.

At least until they get good enough not to make mistakes.