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
Possible Knight Ridder Sale Brings Unlikely Suitors
All Things Considered, December 29, 2005
NPR initially reported that Pew Charitable Trusts CEO Rebecca Rimel said Pew was considering whether to try to bid for the Philadelphia Inquirer. In fact, Rimel says Pew intends to serve as a catalyst for civic leaders in Philadelphia to help ensure that any new ownership of the Inquirer would serve readers well.
December 30, 2005
Previously Banned Items Now Allowed on Planes
Morning Edition, December 22, 2005
Pocket knives are still banned by the Transportation Safety Administration, contrary to what was reported in this story.
December 30, 2005
EU Launches Satellite in Galileo Project
Morning Edition, December 28, 2005
The accuracy of the U.S. Global Positioning System, or GPS, is no longer limited for security reasons, as reported. The GPS can now pinpoint locations within three feet.
December 29, 2005
Memoir Recalls 'My Fundamentalist Education'
All Things Considered, December 28, 2005
In this story, we incorrectly identified a passage of the Bible. The prophecy of Mary discussed in this interview with Christine Rosen appears in the Old Testament, not the New Testament.
December 29, 2005
In Giving I Connect With Others
All Things Considered, April 4, 2005
The archived Web audio differs from the version that originally broadcast. It correctly identifies Salvador Allende as the president of Chile at the time of his death.
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
Shaping Character and Destinies: John McCain
Fresh Air from WHYY, December 6, 2005
Rep. Bob Ney of Ohio has not resigned, as is erroneously stated in this interview. The congressman is in fact running for
reelection.
December 1, 2005
Chasing Death: Understanding a Friend's Suicide
All Things Considered, November 29, 2005
The band the Stars are Canadian -- not British, as we said.
December 1, 2005
Housing Costs Play Role in Urban Hunger
All Things Considered, November 23, 2005
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 this interview, 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 18, 2005
Rice Pushes More Hands-On Role for U.S. Diplomats
All Things Considered, November 7, 2005
We incorrectly identified John Negroponte's title in the broadcast version of this story. His proper title is Director of National Intelligence.
November 17, 2005
Intelligent Design and Academic Freedom
All Things Considered, November 10, 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 11, 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 10, 2005
The Hills Are Alive for Suzan-Lori Parks
Morning Edition, November 30, 2004
The the 'Great Debaters' film project mentioned in this report is based on the work of Robert Eisele.
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 27, 2005
Palestinian Leader Yasser Arafat Dies in Paris
Morning Edition, November 11, 2004
Two omissions from the piece that originally aired are noted in an attached transcript.
October 19, 2005
Take One: President Bush via Satellite
All Things Considered, October 13, 2005
In the audio for this story, Master Sgt. Corine Lombardo's rank is incorrectly referred to as that of a Sgt. Major.
October 15, 2005
Revised 'Paris Review' Attracts Critics
Weekend Edition Saturday, October 8, 2005
NPR apologizes to 'The Paris Review' and Philip Gourevitch for this story. In the piece, we failed to allow Mr. Gourevitch any opportunity to answer former editors who questioned his stewardship of the magazine. In fact, the new 'Paris Review' includes six items -- including a fiction debut by an American author, some works in translation, and poetry -- that, in the view of NPR, uphold the vision of the literary magazine's founder, George Plimpton.
October 14, 2005
Space Community Looks to the Next Lunar Vehicles
Morning Edition, October 13, 2005
Scott Horowitz, who is interviewed in this story, is no longer at ATK Thiokol. He joined NASA last month as associate administrator for the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate.
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 story reported that WHO had enough of the anti-viral drug Tamiflu to treat 12,000 people. The correct figure is 120,000.
September 22, 2005
U.S. Forces Struggle to Contain Iraqi Insurgency
Morning Edition, September 20, 2005
Gen. Joseph Hoar's rank was misstated in the on-air version of this story. He is a retired four-star Marine Corps general.
July 30, 2005
Hispanic Growth Reflected in Media Boom
All Things Considered, July 23, 2005
A referernce to the origin of bachata music is in error. It's originally from the Dominican Republic.
July 27, 2005
British Report Puts Iraqi Deaths at 25,000
All Things Considered, July 19, 2005
Former Gen. Tommy Franks was referring to U.S. casualties in Afghanistan, nor Iraq, when he said, "We don't do body counts."
July 27, 2005
Original Charlie Revisits 'The Chocolate Factory'
Weekend Edition Sunday, July 17, 2005
The audio of this story incorrectly identifies the actor who plays the Oompa-Loompas. His name is Deep Roy.
July 20, 2005
Yahoo Positions Itself as Hollywood Player
Morning Edition, July 11, 2005
In this segment, a song attributed to Jib Jab was, in fact, produced by Consumers Union, but appears on the Jib Jab Web site.
June 30, 2005
Franklin Faces Additional Charges
Morning Edition, June 14, 2005
Former Defense Department analyst Larry Franklin hasn't been charged with spying, as the story says, but is charged with passing government secrets to unauthorized persons.
June 25, 2005
Iran Election Too Close to Call
Morning Edition, June 24, 2005
iranian, president, national, poll, vote, voting
June 21, 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.
June 9, 2005
Syrian Leaders to Address Economic Problems
Morning Edition, June 9, 2005
This story incorrectly reported that 20 percent of the Syrian population is unemployed. In fact, 20 percent of the Syrian workforce is unemployed.
June 9, 2005
Scientists Take Up Plight of Parasites
Morning Edition, June 3, 2005
This report incorrectly referred to long-toed salamanders as lizards. They are amphibians.
May 26, 2005
Senate Confirms Owen as Appeals Court Judge
All Things Considered, May 25, 2005
In the audio for this feature, the Senate vote to confirm Priscilla Owen was misstated. It was 55-43.
May 25, 2005
CEO Mitchell Says PBS Will Resist Political Pressure
May 24, 2005
In the audio for this feature, PBS is incorrectly identified as the Public Broadcasting System. PBS is the Public Broadcasting Service.
May 12, 2005
Hue: Imperial City Turned Battleground
Morning Edition, April 28, 2005
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
No Child Left Behind Under Fire in Utah
Morning Edition, April 19, 2005
In this story, 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.
May 5, 2005
England Awaits Sentencing in Abu Ghraib Case
Morning Edition, May 3, 2005
This story incorrectly reported that civilian and military courts have a different standard for evaluating guilty pleas. That is is incorrect. As in the military, judges in federal and many state courts must determine that a guilty plea is voluntary and based in fact.
April 28, 2005
Examining the Future of Black News Media
News & Notes , April 20, 2005
This report misidentified the 'Atlanta Daily World' newspaper as another publication. We regret the error, and apologize.
April 27, 2005
Crisis in the Episcopal Church
Morning Edition, April 27, 2005
A version of this story broadcast Wednesday incorrectly identified the title held by the Rev. Gene Robinson. He is bishop of New Hampshire.
April 23, 2005
On Earth Day, Bush Plugs Environmental Policies
Morning Edition, April 22, 2005
President Bush canceled his Earth Day visit to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park because of bad weather.
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
Research on AIDS Drug Sound, Science Panel Says
Morning Edition, April 8, 2005
This story misidentified Dr. Mark Kline. He works at Baylor College of Medicine, not Baylor University.
April 15, 2005
U.N. Struggles with Congo Peacekeeping Mission
Morning Edition, April 11, 2005
This story incorrectly said that there have "never" been democratic elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo. National elections were held in May of 1960 -- during the final days of Belgian colonial rule.
April 15, 2005
Decision Makers: Inside the Operating Room
Morning Edition, April 12, 2005
We incorrectly reported that Dr. Benjamin Carson was the first to successfully separate twins connected at the head; there were other doctors before him.
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
Biologists Discover Carnivorous Fairy Shrimp
Weekend Edition Sunday, March 27, 2005
This story says decades had passed since a new species had been discovered in the United States. Many listeners pointed out the inaccuracy. See the April 3 story below for clarification.
April 7, 2005
Opus Dei and the Pope
Morning Edition, April 5, 2005
We incorrectly said the canonization of Opus Dei's founder was the fastest in church history. We should have said the fastest in modern church history. Earlier saints, such as Francis of Assissi, were canonized more quickly.
April 4, 2005
In Florida, Planting Coffee -- and Hope
Talk of the Nation, March 30, 2005
This report and the accompanying Web text mistakenly implied the Florida farm in the story could become the first profitable coffee farm in the United States. Listeners in Hawaii were quick to point out their rich, robust history with the bean.
March 31, 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. But women's basketball coach C. Vivian Stringer has taken Cheney State, Iowa and Rutgers to the Final Four.
March 31, 2005
Prospects for Democracy in Central Asia
Morning Edition, March 29, 2005
Some listeners may have heard a version of this story that incorrectly said Kyrgyzstan borders Afghanistan. That mistake was corrected for later broadcasts.
March 31, 2005
Critics Say EPA Mercury Rule Rolls Back Protections
Morning Edition, March 15, 2005
We incorrectly reported that the fish pollock, one of the biggest sources of mercury, is usually imported: Most pollock Americans eat comes from U.S. waters in the Bering Sea.
March 25, 2005
Donald Knuth, Founding Artist of Computer Science
Morning Edition, March 14, 2005
This report incorrectly states that 256 is written like 10 million (or a 1 followed by 7 zeroes). It looks like 100 million, or a 1 followed by 8 zeroes.
March 24, 2005
Computerized Prescription Systems Introduce New Errors
All Things Considered, March 8, 2005
Sociologist Ross Koppel of the University of Pennsylvania is misidentified as "Robert" in this segment.
March 24, 2005
New Mexico Hate Crime Law Put to Test
Morning Edition, March 10, 2005
This story incorrectly states 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 10, 2005
Ohio Leaders Plan to Fight NASA Budget Cuts
Morning Edition, March 7, 2005
This report mentions a contract for a new White House helicopter and incorrectly states that Boeing won the contract. Lockheed Martin won the contract, and the helicopter is expected to roll off the assembly line in 2009
February 15, 2005
Measuring Happiness with a Palm Reading
Morning Edition, February 14, 2005
This 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.
February 14, 2005
Iraq Death Rate Higher for National Guard Troops
Day to Day, December 13, 2004
'USA Today' now reports that the Pentagon has retracted earlier estimates of troop strength, and cannot provide accurate numbers -- making it impossible to compare death rates between various branches of the U.S. military forces in Iraq.
February 2, 2005
The Vote in Florida: Retirees, Left and Right
Day to Day, October 19, 2004
This report refers to Wendell Wilkie as a presidential candidate in 1936. Wilkie actually ran for the office in 1940.
February 2, 2005
WHO Allows Smallpox Research
Morning Edition, November 11, 2004
The World Health Organization says that the decision still needs to go through formal review.
February 2, 2005
Logistics Tangle Relief Efforts in Sri Lanka
Morning Edition, January 4, 2005
This story misquoted TRO volunteer Suren Sornalingham. Sornalingham said trucks had been seized and items taken, but did NOT attribute those actions to the Tamil Tigers.
February 2, 2005
Palestinians Show Support for Hamas as Election Nears
Morning Edition, January 4, 2005
The introduction to this report said Palestinian presidential candidate Mahmoud Abbas called Israel the "Zionist enemy." It failed to note Abbas' remark came after an Israeli tank shell killed seven Palestinians in Gaza. NPR regrets the omission.
January 30, 2005
Boxer's Bout with Rice Draws Notice
All Things Considered, January 29, 2005
The introduction to the story should have said that 12 Senate Democrats and Senate Independent James Jeffords voted against confirming Condoleezza Rice as Secretary of State.
January 27, 2005
Document Renews Debate On Vatican Role in WWII
All Things Considered, January 21, 2005
A section of this piece was omitted. As a result it fails to adequately represent the views of Catholics advocating the beatification of Pope Pius XII.
January 27, 2005
MoMA in Battle over Painting Seized by Nazis
All Things Considered, December 27, 2004
The government, not the museum, has custody of the artwork. The museum says it took no position on the question of the painting's ownership. NPR failed to give the museum a chance to answer allegations about its motivations and actions.
January 20, 2005
Photos Surface of Iraq Abuse by British Soldiers
All Things Considered, January 19, 2005
The name of a British politician was mispronounced in this story. Sir Menzies Campbell's first name is pronounced "ming-is."
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