Corrections on the website

Newspapers make mistakes. When they do, the common practice is to run a correction as soon as possible, in a prominent location within the newspaper. In the Producer, we run any needed corrections on page 2.
But what happens when a story that contains an error is posted on the newspaper’s website and becomes part of an electronic archive that people can access virtually forever? How and when is the error corrected, and what trail should be left, if any?
To some readers and website users, these questions may seem superfluous. Errors should be promptly corrected. Move on.

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But when we pondered these questions earlier this week in the newsroom, we decided it wasn’t quite so simple. Readers expect that the story as it appears on the website is the same story that appeared in the print edition. If the two versions are different, because a correction has been made to the electronic version, will readers wonder why? Will that make them question the integrity of the web content?
After some discussion, we decided to continue our practice of correcting errors as quickly as they are realized. In our electronic versions, however, we will note at the top of the story that a correction has been made. That way, all is revealed to both our newspaper and website readers.
Journalistic over-thinking? Maybe. But when it comes to assuring readers that we’re paying attention to accuracy and to acknowledging our mistakes, it is a discussion worth having.