Corrections Policy

Everyone makes mistakes, and a trustworthy publication fixes its own quickly and in the open. This policy explains how to tell us about an error and what you can expect from us in return.

How to report an error

Email [email protected]. Please include the headline or page name, the sentence or figure you believe is wrong, what you think is correct and, if possible, a source we can check. You do not need to be an expert, and you do not need to be named in the correction. If a matter involves a safety concern or a possible legal issue, say so in your message.

What we correct

We correct factual errors, including wrong names, titles, figures, dates, places, units and attributions, as well as misleading headlines, captions and summaries. We also correct quotations that were altered or placed out of context. We do not change a story simply because someone disagrees with its conclusions or would prefer different emphasis. Disagreement with an analysis is welcome, but it is a matter for a response, not a correction.

Corrections versus clarifications

A correction fixes something that was wrong. A clarification adds context to something that was accurate but could be misunderstood. Both are labelled, and we choose the label honestly rather than the gentler one.

How corrections are labelled

When we change a published story in a way that matters, we add a visible note stating what was changed and when. We do not quietly rewrite the record. Minor typographical fixes, such as a misspelling that does not alter meaning, may be made without a note. If an error was serious enough to mislead readers, the note will appear at the top of the story, and where appropriate we will say so in the newsletter as well.

Timelines

We aim to acknowledge reports promptly and to review them as soon as an editor is available. Verifying a claim can take time, especially when it needs a source outside our team, so we cannot promise an exact turnaround. Where we confirm an error, we correct it as quickly as we responsibly can.

Updates to illustrative stories

Much of our launch-edition content is illustrative, so an issue may sometimes be less about a wrong fact and more about a scenario that could be mistaken for real reporting. If you think a piece of illustrative work is not clearly labelled, or that it resembles a real person, company or event in a way that could mislead, tell us. We will add or strengthen the label, change the wording or withdraw the passage. We may also update an illustrative story as our editorial approach evolves, and substantive changes will be noted.

Privacy of those who write to us

We use the details you send only to evaluate and respond to your report. For questions about personal data, write to [email protected].

Related pages

See Editorial Standards and Ethics for the principles behind this policy.