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.
2010 Corrections
October 18, 2010
Rand Paul's Christianity Questioned By Jack Conway
October 18, 2010
The post initially indicated both candidates refused to shake hands at the end of their debate Sunday. But the Associated Press reports it was Dr. Rand Paul who walked past Jack Conway without offering a handshake or making eye contact.
October 16, 2010
Barbara Billingsley, Beaver's TV Mom, Dies At 94
October 16, 2010
An earlier version of this story stated Barbara Billingsley was born in 1922. She was born in 1915.
October 15, 2010
James Franco Doesn't Limit Himself To Just Acting
Morning Edition, October 15, 2010
We mistakenly reported that the television series Freaks and Geeks was distributed by Fox. Freaks and Geeks was distributed by NBC.
October 15, 2010
Testimony Begins In Fort Hood Shooting
All Things Considered, October 13, 2010
We mistakenly reported that Fort Hood shooting victim Michael G. Cahill was a doctor. Cahill was a physician assistant.
October 14, 2010
Remembering 'La Stupenda': Opera Singer Joan Sutherland
Fresh Air from WHYY, October 13, 2010
The audio and a previous Web version of this story inaccurately stated that Joan Sutherland and Marilyn Horne first performed together in a concert version of Rossini’s Semiramide. Sutherland and Horne first performed together in Bellini’s Beatrice di Tenda, about a year before they appeared together in Semiramide.
October 14, 2010
Making LED Lights Beautiful
October 14, 2010
This piece incorrectly stated that Phillips would be the first in market with 60-watt equivalent LED bulbs. Some companies are already ahead of them. Eco-Smart, for example, already produces a stronger 75 watt bulb available for purchase at Home Depot.
October 12, 2010
In The Missouri Senate Race, Who's The Insider?
Morning Edition, October 12, 2010
In early on-air versions, we said GOP Senate candidate Roy Blunt had once been the governor of Missouri. He was not; he ran once and lost in the primary. It was Blunt’s son, Matt, who was once Missouri’s governor.
October 8, 2010
Coming Out From Life Under 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'
All Things Considered, October 5, 2010
The audio version of this story incorrectly identified Anthony Woods’ rank in the U.S. Army as major. Woods was a captain.
October 5, 2010
In West Virginia, Democrat Faces Surprising Battle
Morning Edition, October 5, 2010
The audio version of this story (and earlier text versions) incorrectly identified the home county of Parkersburg, which is in Wood County.
October 1, 2010
Jerry Lee Lewis: Rock Legend Keeps Rolling
Weekend Edition Sunday, September 25, 2010
The audio version of this story incorrectly stated that Million Dollar Quartet, which took place in 1956, happened 44 years ago. We made an arithmetic error; it was 54 years ago.
September 30, 2010
The Man Behind KITT And The Batmobile
Talk of the Nation, September 29, 2010
We credited guest George Barris with creating the DeLorean from Back to the Future. Barris did not create that vehicle.
September 29, 2010
'Poisoning The Press' Recounts Nixon-Anderson Feud
September 28, 2010
This story initially gave an incorrect date for President Nixon's resignation. He resigned in August 1974.
September 28, 2010
Senate Democrats Delay Vote On Bush Tax Cuts
September 23, 2010
This story initially misrepresented the Obama administration's stance on extending tax cuts. President Obama and Democratic leaders want to extend tax cuts for individuals making less than $200,000 and married couples making less than $250,000.
September 27, 2010
A Lesson In Contrasts: Barack Obama And Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Address The U.N.
September 23, 2010
This blog post was erroneously based in part on a transcript from the Iranian president’s speech from 2009.
September 20, 2010
Mitt Romney Could Be The Hillary Clinton Of 2012
September 20, 2010
An earlier version of this article suggested that Sarah Palin apppeared at the Values Voter's Summit. She did not.
September 20, 2010
Indian Conglomerate Could Buy MGM
Morning Edition, September 20, 2010
We incorrectly reported on the air and previously on our website that Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer produced Gone with the Wind. The movie was produced by Selznick International Pictures, in association with MGM.
September 10, 2010
New College Teaches Young American Muslims
Morning Edition, September 8, 2010
The audio and an earlier Web version of this story contained some incorrect information. Jamye Ford had told NPR that he was 24 years old, entered Columbia University at 16 and graduated with a double major in neuroscience and history. NPR has since learned that Ford is actually 32 years old, entered Columbia at 18 and graduated with a degree in history.
September 7, 2010
Wyoming Mining Hopes Rise With Gold Prices
Morning Edition, September 3, 2010
The radio introduction to this report incorrectly said that the price of gold more than tripled in the past decade. The price of gold more than quadrupled in that period.
September 5, 2010
Safer For Your Soul, But Is Kosher Healthier, Too?
Weekend Edition Sunday, September 4, 2010
An earlier version of this story implied all "Kosher-for-Passover" foods are gluten-free, which is incorrect. Many are, but some are not.
September 4, 2010
Week In News: Troop Drawdown, Midterms
All Things Considered, August 28, 2010
This story incorrectly stated that Al Gore went to North Korea recently to get two American prisoners freed. Gore offered to go, but it was Bill Clinton who actually made the trip.
August 26, 2010
St. Petersburg: A Glimpse Of What Russia Is Not
Morning Edition, August 26, 2010
An earlier Web version of this story incorrectly stated that the Soviet government moved the capital from St. Petersburg to Moscow in the 18th century.
August 26, 2010
Harvard Prof Top Pick To Lead Consumer Bureau
All Things Considered, August 25, 2010
Earlier versions of this story identified Elizabeth Warren as a former dean of the Harvard Law School. This is incorrect. She is a professor.
August 23, 2010
Iraq, Economy To Play Small Roles In Next Primaries
Morning Edition, August 23, 2010
We incorrectly identified the Republican running for U.S. Senate from Florida. His name is Marco Rubio.
August 18, 2010
U.S. Pushes Palestinians On Direct Talks With Israelis
All Things Considered, August 5, 2010
The headline was revised to reflect the article's emphasis on the Palestinian position on direct talks with the Israeli government.
August 18, 2010
Report: Too Much Money Going To State Court Races
Morning Edition, August 16, 2010
An initial version of this story misspelled Jim Buchen's name. Also, the last line of the story has been edited to reflect the fact that a justice's term is expiring. We incorrectly suggested that the justice is retiring.
August 17, 2010
Karzai To Ban Afghan Private Security Firms
August 16, 2010
A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that the firm Compass Security was suspended from its operations escorting convoys between Kabul and Kandahar because of bribery allegations. The temporary suspension resulted from an insurgent attack involving civilian deaths. Compass Security's operations were reinstated after about two weeks, and the Afghan government's investigation of the incident is ongoing. The previous version also incorrectly stated that Ahmad Wali Karzai has interests in two security firms, Watan Rick Management and Asia Security Group. An attorney for Karzai, in a letter to NPR, says there is no evidence that Karzai has any ownership interests in either firm or any other private security businesses in Afghanistan.
August 5, 2010
For Democrats, Ethics Cases Add To Woes
August 2, 2010
A previous version of this story incorrectly stated the party affiliation of Rep. Peter Visclosky, an Indiana Democrat.
August 4, 2010
With A Life-Saving Medicine In Short Supply, Patients Want Patent Broken
Morning Edition, August 4, 2010
The initial version of this post misstated the relationship of two of the petitioners. Anita Bova is Anita Hochendoner's daughter -- not her mother.
August 4, 2010
Meet The 'Real Housewives' Of Washington, Not D.C.
Morning Edition, August 3, 2010
We referred to the first season of "Real Housewives of Washington DC" as falling short, with nine episodes instead of the expected 13. That is an inaccurate characterization. While later seasons of the "Real Housewives" franchise do have 13 or more episodes, the first usually has no more than nine.
July 29, 2010
Feds Peel Back Chrome On Motorcycle Gangs
Morning Edition, July 29, 2010
The audio version of this story confused the name of the fictional biker gang with the name of the lead character on the FX television show Sons of Anarchy. SAMCO is the acronym for the biker group; Clarence "Clay" Morrow is its leader.
July 21, 2010
GOP Pushes For More Votes Against Kagan
All Things Considered, July 16, 2010
The audio version of this story quotes Charles Fried of the Harvard Law School talking about voters on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. The original text version paraphrased this as a reference to Jewish voters. Fried says he was referring to Upper West Side residents in general and not to Jewish voters in particular.
July 14, 2010
A Very Scary Light Show: Exploding H-Bombs In Space
All Things Considered, July 1, 2010
In the audio and video versions of this story, it was incorrectly stated that the Starfish Prime bomb was 1,000 times bigger than the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima in 1945. Starfish Prime was 100 times bigger than the Hiroshima bomb.
July 14, 2010
Baby Crabs In Gulf Spill Zone Tainted By Oil
July 1, 2010
This post previously stated that one-third of the Gulf’s waters were closed to fishing. Actually, one-third of federally controlled waters in the Gulf are closed to fishing. State water, such as that nearest coastlines, and international waters do not fall under federal jurisdiction and were not counted.
July 14, 2010
Health Law Sparks Abortion Fight In Pennsylvania
July 14, 2010
The initial version of this post incorrectly called Faith in Public Life blog abortion-rights leaning. It is actually is neutral on abortion.
July 12, 2010
Cholodenko's 'Kids' Flick: More Than Just All Right
Fresh Air from WHYY, July 9, 2010
In the original radio broadcast, our critic David Edelstein misstated the name of the actress who appeared in Guess Who's Coming to Dinner. Her name is Katharine Houghton, not Katherine Ross.
July 2, 2010
Israeli Military Boards New Aid Ship To Gaza Without Violence
June 5, 2010
An earlier version of this posting incorrectly explained how Hamas came to control the Gaza Strip. The Islamist group seized power there in 2007 after violent clashes with militia and security forces from the rival Fatah party. Hamas had won a strong majority in Palestinian parliamentary elections the previous year, but political disagreements and the Gaza violence derailed efforts to form a working unity government.
June 28, 2010
Netanyahu: Gaza Blockade Prevents Missile Strikes
June 2, 2010
Earlier versions of this story reported that Israel expelled the families of Turkey's diplomats in the aftermath of Israel's actions against a Gaza-bound aid flotilla. NPR should have reported that Israel recalled the families of its own diplomats from Turkey.
June 25, 2010
10 Killed As Iraelis Board Gaza Aid Convoy
Morning Edition, May 31, 2010
We said that five ships have made their way into the Gaza Strip and that the last ship was the only one that was stopped. That was during Operation Cast Lead, a year and a half ago. Our report failed to mention a July 2009 attempt to breach the blockade of Gaza. We should have said the boats that have attempted to arrive since Operation Cast Lead were all turned away by the Israeli navy.
June 23, 2010
Israel And Gaza: A Crack In The Stalemate
Fresh Air from WHYY, June 22, 2010
Our guest misstated the year of Hamas' election victory. The elections were held in January 2006, not June 2007.
June 23, 2010
How Will The Gulf Oil Spill Affect Human Health?
Morning Edition, June 23, 2010
The audio version of this story, as well as an earlier Web version, said oil toxins can cause mutations in mice that pass from one generation to another. The mutations in question were not caused by oil toxins, but by toxins from a different source.
June 16, 2010
Google Cuts Down On Use Of Microsoft Windows
Morning Edition, June 16, 2010
The audio version of this story incorrectly says, as did a previous Web version, that Steve Fox is an editor at PC Magazine. Fox is actually editorial director for PC World.
June 11, 2010
Britons Bristle At American Attacks On BP
All Things Considered, June 11, 2010
In a previous Web version of this story, a reference was made to the company Transocean being American. Transocean is registered in Switzerland.
June 9, 2010
What's A Softball Heroine To Do?
Weekend Edition Sunday, June 6, 2010
In this story we said the University of Washington Huskies were defending their title as national champions in the NCAA World Series that weekend. The story aired on Sunday, but the Huskies had already played on Saturday and been defeated. The 2010 championship was won by UCLA.
June 7, 2010
Israeli Military Order Targets West Bank 'Infiltrators'
Morning Edition, May 11, 2010
The original Web version of this story incorrectly stated the number of Jewish settlers estimated to be living in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. The inaccurate number in the story came from the CIA World Factbook. The Israeli government's Central Bureau of Statistics estimated the Israeli population of the West Bank at 301,000 as of Sept. 1, 2009. It does not provide separate figures for East Jerusalem, but estimates from other sources put the figure at 180,000 to 200,000. The text has been corrected to state that about 500,000 Israelis live in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, according to estimates.
June 3, 2010
Louie And The Lovers: The Slow 'Rise' Of A Lost Treasure
Fresh Air from WHYY, May 27, 2010
The audio and a previous Web version of this story incorrectly said that Louie Perez was a member of the band Country Fresh. It is Louie Ortega who was a member of Country Fresh, the band that later became known as Louie and the Lovers.
May 28, 2010
Citizenship-By-Birth Faces Challenges
May 25, 2010
A previous version of this story incorrectly said courts have ruled that the children of visiting diplomats are eligible for U.S. citizenship if they are born in the country. Such children are in fact not granted citizenship.
May 28, 2010
A Flowering Tribute To Emily Dickinson
Morning Edition, May 27, 2010
A previous version of the caption for Image 4 in the photo gallery incorrectly identified the flowers as blue dendrobiums. They are actually blue delphiniums.
May 24, 2010
Oil Spill Tests Obama Vow To Use Scientific Approach
All Things Considered, May 21, 2010
A sentence in an earlier version of this story was modified to more clearly paraphrase White House spokesman Robert Gibbs' statements about measuring the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
May 20, 2010
Will This Year's Midterm Elections Mirror 1994?
All Things Considered, May 19, 2010
Some audio versions of this story referred to the White House and two chambers of Congress as "all three branches" of the federal government. They are only the executive and legislative branches. The third branch, the judicial system, is appointed and not elected and is not controlled by either political party.
May 20, 2010
Can Marijuana Ease PTSD? A Debate Brews
Morning Edition, May 19, 2010
The audio version of this story incorrectly refers to the federal agency that handles veterans' affairs as the Veterans Administration. The agency's correct name is the Department of Veterans Affairs.
May 17, 2010
Anti-Incumbent Mood Hovers Over Senate Primaries
May 17, 2010
A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that the Kentucky GOP primary is open to any registered voter, not just Republicans.
May 15, 2010
Monk's Enlightenment Begins With A Marathon Walk
Morning Edition, May 11, 2010
The audio on this story incorrectly refers to Mitsunaga as a Zen monk. He belongs to the Tendai school, which is a separate denomination.
May 13, 2010
House Panel Examines Gulf Coast Oil Spill
Morning Edition, May 13, 2010
The audio version of this story incorrectly says, as did a previous Web version, that 4 million barrels of oil have leaked since the April 20 accident. The correct amount is 4 million gallons.
May 12, 2010
Should Kagan's Lack Of Judicial Experience Matter?
Morning Edition, May 12, 2010
Constitutional law professor Walter Dellinger misspoke when he said the 1954 Supreme Court "did not have a single justice who had been a judge." In fact, Justice Sherman Minton, a former U.S. senator, had also served eight years on a federal appeals court.
May 5, 2010
The Legacy Of Dam Architect Floyd Dominy
All Things Considered, May 4, 2010
Our story incorrectly said that David Brower was the founder of the Sierra Club. John Muir founded the Sierra Club. David Brower was executive director of the Sierra Club from 1952 to 1969. Our story also incorrectly reported that a quote from Brower came from an interview in 2002. Brower died in 2000. The quote was actually from an earlier interview that was included in "Moving Waters," a documentary released in 2002.
April 30, 2010
Arizona Immigration Law Generates First Challenges
Morning Edition, April 30, 2010
The audio version of this story says, as did a previous Web version, that the law requires legal residents to carry papers at all times. That is actually a long-standing provision of federal law. The new Arizona law allows local law enforcement to demand proof of immigration status.
April 9, 2010
Connecticut Beats Stanford, 53-47 For NCAA Title
Morning Edition, April 7, 2010
Our guest incorrectly stated that the University of Connecticut women's basketball team was the first women's college basketball team to ever have back-to-back undefeated seasons. The women's basketball team at Washington University in St. Louis, playing at the NCAA's Division III level, was undefeated in 1999 and again in 2000. UConn plays Division I basketball.
April 9, 2010
Trial and Triumph: Stories Out Of Africa
Tell Me More, October 9, 2008
An earlier summary of this story that appeared online incorrectly identified the birthplace of Barack Obama. The audio correctly states that Obama's father was born in Kenya.
April 8, 2010
Supreme Court May Soon Lack Protestant Justices
Morning Edition, April 7, 2010
An initial version of the chart entitled "A Shifting Court" contained errors in properly classifying some justices as Protestants. The errors have been corrected.
April 6, 2010
FCC Or Comcast? Who Should Control Broadband?
Weekend Edition Sunday, April 4, 2010
We incorrectly identified the court that would be ruling in the case pitting the FCC against Comcast as the 4th Circuit. It is, in fact, the Federal Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. The Web text has been corrected.
March 30, 2010
World's Largest Atom Smasher Breaks Record
Morning Edition, March 30, 2010
We incorrectly used the term "teva electron volt" in our story about the Large Hadron Collider. We should have used the term "teraelectron volt."
March 22, 2010
Residents Relieved As Red River Recedes
Morning Edition, March 22, 2010
Earlier editions of this story incorrectly placed Fargo in North Carolina.
March 19, 2010
Exploring The Taliban's Complex, Shadowy Finances
Morning Edition, March 19, 2010
The audio and a previous Web version of this story incorrectly reported that the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime says that between 2003 and 2008, income from drug protection and trafficking for al-Qaida and the Taliban reached a combined $18 billion. In fact, $18 billion is the estimated total opium revenue in Afghanistan for the years 2003-2008, according to the UNODC. The Taliban's share is estimated at between $90 and $160 million a year over the past five years, according to the UNODC. There is no separate estimate for al-Qaida.
March 18, 2010
Boomerang Kids Drive Rise Of Extended Family Living
Morning Edition, March 18, 2010
Earlier versions of this story incorrectly stated that the share of Americans in multigenerational households has tripled since 1980. It has grown by one-third.
March 17, 2010
Civil Rights Photographer Charles Moore Remembered
All Things Considered, March 16, 2010
We incorrectly said that Charles Moore appeared in a 1995 documentary. The actual date of the documentary is 2005
March 16, 2010
Wooing Recruits To Radical Islam Like 'Dating'
All Things Considered, February 18, 2010
In the audio version of this story, we reported that one of the men involved in the 2007 attack on Glasgow's airport was a member of an Islamist group called Hizb ut-Tahrir. While that man did spend time with the group and attended its recruiting sessions, he was not a formal member. In an e-mail, Hizb ut-Tahrir told NPR that it does not condone violence in any way.
March 15, 2010
Advocates Aim To Revive Immigration Overhaul
All Things Considered, March 11, 2010
The audio and an earlier Web version of this story contained an incorrect first name for professor Tichenor. His correct first name is Daniel.
March 9, 2010
Massacre May Be Turning Point In Mexico Drug War
All Things Considered, March 8, 2010
The audio and a previous Web version of this story incorrectly stated the age of the youngest victim of the January slayings. The youngest victim was 15.
March 5, 2010
New Research Sheds Light On Antarctic Ice Melting
All Things Considered, February 28, 2010
During this interview, it was stated that in the last 20 years, at least 20,000 square kilometers of ice have been lost, an area, it was stated, somewhere between the size of Texas and Alaska. That is incorrect. 20,000 square kilometers is roughly the size of New Jersey. The United States Geological Survey says that it is the Antarctic Peninsula, the source of the ice loss, that is larger than the state of Texas but smaller than Alaska.
February 23, 2010
Officials: Cleric Had Role In Christmas Bomb Attempt
All Things Considered, February 19, 2010
We incorrectly identified the relationship between Whitechapel Road and Finsbury Park in London. Whitechapel Road is not in the Finsbury Park district. Finsbury Park is in North London. Whitechapel Road is in East London.
February 22, 2010
D.C. Center Teaches 6th-Graders About Islam
All Things Considered, February 21, 2010
The audio for this story incorrectly identifies the grade of the students involved; they are sixth-graders.
February 18, 2010
Pope's Apology Rings Hollow To Some U.S. Victims
Morning Edition, February 18, 2010
In an early audio version of this story we incorrectly referred to Cardinal Bernardin Law. His name is Cardinal Bernard Law.
February 18, 2010
GM's $5,000 Minivan, A Hit In China
Morning Edition, February 18, 2010
Earlier audio and Web versions of this story misidentified the minivan model driven by Yu Guomin. He drives a Wuling Rongguang, not a Wuling Sunshine. The Rongguang is a similar, newer version of the Sunshine.
February 10, 2010
Iran To Begin Enriching Uranium
Morning Edition, February 8, 2010
We incorrectly identified Robert Gates as the secretary of state. Gates is the secretary of defense.
February 9, 2010
Thanks To Hulu, Indie Film 'Strictly Sexual' Hits Big
All Things Considered, February 8, 2010
The audio and a previous Web version of this story incorrectly named Stevie Long as the director of the movie. While Long wrote and acted in the film, the director was Joel Viertel.
February 4, 2010
CIA Chief Warns Terror Attack Is Likely
Talk of the Nation, February 3, 2010
We incorrectly referred to Leon Panetta as the FBI director. Panetta is actually the director of the CIA.
February 2, 2010
Militant Groups Seen Collaborating Against U.S.
Morning Edition, February 2, 2010
An earlier Web version of this story incorrectly referred to Hakimullah Mehsud and Baitullah Mehsud as brothers. In fact, while both men were from the same tribe, they were not otherwise related.
January 27, 2010
Through The Looking Glass: Alice In Fact And Fiction
Fresh Air from WHYY, January 26, 2010
The audio version of this story refers to Lewis Carroll as "Arthur Dodgson." Carroll's given name was Charles Dodgson.
January 14, 2010
Monsanto GMO Ignites Big Seed War
All Things Considered, January 12, 2010
The audio and a previous Web version of this story incorrectly said that Monsanto will soon market a soybean seed combining eight separate genetically engineered traits. The seed is actually a corn seed.
January 8, 2010
TSA To Expand Use Of Full-Body Scanners
Morning Edition, January 8, 2010
A previous Web version of this story incorrectly said that 150 more full-body scanners will be put into service. The actual number is 300.
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