Corrections

Our Commitment

Because our voice reaches a wide audience across technology industries, NewsDefused recognizes an ethical responsibility to correct all factual errors, large and small, as soon as we become aware of them.

We do not wait for someone to request a correction. We do not minimize errors or defend the indefensible. We correct promptly, clearly, and transparently.

Correction Philosophy

Why We Correct

Trust requires accountability: Readers who see us correct errors openly are more likely to trust what we publish. Readers who see us defend, ignore, or minimize errors will trust us less.

Errors happen: Despite our best efforts, mistakes occur. Business and technology news moves fast, and the complexity of technical subjects all create opportunities for error. The question is not whether we make mistakes, but how we handle them.

Correction benefits everyone: Correcting errors serves:

• Readers who deserve accurate information
• Subjects of coverage who deserve fair treatment
• The public record of technology news
• NewsDefused's long-term credibility
• The journalism profession's standards

Speed Matters

The faster we correct, the less misunderstanding spreads. Corrections should be:

• Immediate when errors are clear and significant
• Prompt when verification requires brief investigation
• Thorough even when investigation takes time

Speed never justifies publishing unverified corrections. But investigation should proceed with urgency.

What We Correct

Factual Errors Requiring Correction

Always corrected:

• Incorrect names, spellings, or titles
• Wrong dates, times, or locations
• Inaccurate numbers, statistics, or financial figures
• Misattributed quotes or statements
• Incorrect technical specifications
• Misidentified companies, products, or individuals
• False claims presented as fact
• Misleading headlines or article summaries

Material errors: Any error that could mislead readers or create false impressions, regardless of size or seeming importance.

Clarifications vs. Corrections

Corrections fix factual errors, things we got wrong.

Clarifications address ambiguity or add context where original content was accurate but unclear or incomplete.

Examples:

• Correction: "An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that the funding round was $50 million. It was $15 million."
• Clarification: "This article has been updated to note that the CEO's previous company was acquired by Microsoft in 2019, providing additional context to the current announcement."

Both serve reader interests. Both are published prominently.

What Doesn't Require Correction

Updates to developing stories: When new information emerges in a developing story, we update the article with a timestamp noting the addition. This is standard practice, not correction.

Stylistic choices: Differences in writing style, headline wording, or article structure are editorial decisions, not errors requiring correction.

Differences of interpretation: When reasonable people might interpret information differently, our interpretation doesn't require correction unless factually wrong.

Third-party errors: If source material contains errors, we correct our citation but note the error originated in source material.

How We Correct

Correction Format

Print-style correction (for minor errors):

Correction: An earlier version of this article misspelled the CEO's name. It is Sarah Chen, not Sarah Chan.

Inline correction (for digital updates):

[Corrected text], previously incorrectly stated as [wrong text].

Editor's Note (for significant errors):

Editor's Note: This article originally stated that the acquisition was valued at $500 million. This was incorrect. The actual acquisition price was $50 million. We apologize for the error and have corrected the article.

Correction Placement

Digital Corrections:

• Correction note appended to top or bottom of corrected article
• Corrected content updated inline
• Timestamp showing when correction was made
• Original error preserved in correction language for transparency
• Both correct and incorrect information shown so readers understand the change

Social Media Corrections: When errors appear in social media posts:

• Correction posted on same platform
• Original error quoted with correction
• Link to corrected article if applicable
• No deletion without replacement correction post

Newsletter Corrections: If errors appear in email newsletters:

• Correction in next newsletter edition
• Prominent placement
• Clear explanation of error and correction

Correction Language

Clear and Direct:

• State what was wrong
• State what is correct
• Use simple language
• Avoid defensive tone
• Accept responsibility

Good Example:

Correction: This article originally stated that OpenAI's GPT-4 was released in January 2024. It was released in March 2023. The article has been corrected.

Poor Example (Don't Do This):

Note: An earlier version of this article contained information about GPT-4's release date that may have been imprecise based on various conflicting reports we reviewed at the time.

No Blame Attribution: We never blame individual reporters, editors, or systems in published corrections. "An earlier version" or "This article originally" suffices. Internal accountability is separate from public correction.

Correction Process

How Errors Are Identified

Internal Review:

• Editorial team spot-checking published content
• Automated quality control systems flagging potential issues
• Cross-reference checking during follow-up coverage
• Regular audit of AI-generated content accuracy

Reader Reports:

• Corrections email: corrections@newsdefused.com
• Editorial contact: editorial@newsdefused.com
• Social media notifications
• Direct outreach from coverage subjects

Source Notifications:

• Original reporting sources correcting their own stories
• Companies or individuals noting errors in coverage
• Expert readers providing technical corrections

Investigation Protocol

When potential error is reported:

Step 1: Acknowledge Receipt

• Respond to reporter acknowledging the report
• Thank them for bringing it to our attention
• Commit to investigating

Step 2: Verify

• Check original source material
• Consult authoritative references
• Verify with subject matter experts if needed
• Determine if error is factual or interpretive

Step 3: Decide

• Error confirmed → Proceed to correction
• No error found → Respond to reporter explaining why
• Uncertain → Continue investigation until resolved

Step 4: Correct

• Draft correction following format standards
• Publish correction promptly
• Notify original error reporter
• Update all platforms where error appeared

Timeframe:

• Simple factual errors: Corrected within hours of confirmation
• Complex issues requiring verification: Corrected within 24 hours when possible
• Investigations requiring expert consultation: Completed as quickly as thorough investigation allows

Accountability

Editorial Leadership Review:

• All corrections reviewed by editorial leadership
• Pattern analysis for systematic issues
• Root cause investigation for repeated errors
• Process improvements implemented as needed

Platform Improvements:

• AI generation parameters adjusted if systematic errors detected
• Quality control thresholds refined
• Source selection reviewed if source errors frequent
• Training updates for editorial team

Special Correction Situations

Errors in AI-Generated Content

When Defused.io automation produces errors:

• Same correction standards apply
• Investigation includes reviewing generation parameters
• Platform adjustments made to prevent recurrence
• No attempt to deflect responsibility to automation
• Human accountability maintained

Errors From Source Material

When source articles contain errors we propagated:

• We correct our article
• Note error originated in source material
• Link to source's correction if available
• Accept responsibility for not catching error

Significant Errors

Major errors requiring extended correction:

Editor's Note Triggers:

• Errors affecting article's core thesis
• Multiple related errors in single article
• Errors raising ethical concerns
• Errors requiring substantial rewrites

Editor's Note Format:

Editor's Note: This article has been substantially revised to correct multiple errors regarding the timeline of the company's funding rounds. The original article incorrectly stated funding amounts and dates for three separate rounds. We apologize for these errors. The article now reflects accurate information verified with the company and SEC filings.

Errors Affecting Individuals

When errors harm individuals:

• Correction made immediately
• Subject contacted and offered right to respond
• Apology included when appropriate
• Follow-up coverage considered if warranted

Technical or Complex Corrections

For technical subjects requiring expert verification:

• Consultation with qualified sources
• Clear explanation in correction of what was wrong
• Additional context if needed for understanding
• No oversimplification that creates new errors

What We Don't Do

No Stealth Corrections

We never:

• Silently change content without noting correction
• Delete errors without acknowledging them
• Rewrite history as if error never occurred
• Update articles without transparency

Readers comparing cached or shared versions to current content should see what changed and why.

No Article Removal

We do not remove published articles except in extraordinary circumstances:

• Legal requirements (court orders, defamation settlements)
• Privacy law compliance (e.g., right to be forgotten where applicable)
• Serious safety concerns (e.g., content enabling harm)

Standard practice instead: Correct errors in place, add editor's notes if needed, maintain article with corrections visible.

No Blame Deflection

We don't:

• Blame AI systems for errors
• Blame source material for our republication
• Blame individual staff members publicly
• Make excuses for errors

We take responsibility and correct.

Reader Rights and Responsibilities

How to Report Errors

Email Preferred: corrections@newsdefused.com

Include:

• Link to article containing error
• Specific description of error
• Correct information with source if available
• Your contact information for follow-up

What to Expect:

• Acknowledgment within 24 hours
• Investigation of reported error
• Notification if correction is published
• Explanation if we determine no error occurred

Reader Responsibilities

We appreciate error reports that:

• Are specific and factual
• Include verification sources when possible
• Distinguish between errors and disagreements
• Are submitted in good faith
• Allow reasonable response time

When We Disagree

If we investigate and determine no correction is needed:

• We respond explaining our reasoning
• We consider alternative perspectives
• We remain open to additional information
• We treat all reports respectfully

Contact Information

For Corrections Submissions:
corrections@newsdefused.com

For Correction Policy Questions:
editorial@newsdefused.com

For Urgent Corrections:
urgent@newsdefused.com

Our Promise

NewsDefused commits to:

1. Correct all errors regardless of size or source
2. Correct promptly without waiting for external pressure
3. Correct transparently showing what was wrong and what's correct
4. Correct completely across all platforms where error appeared
5. Learn from errors through process improvement
6. Welcome correction reports from any source
7. Respond substantively to error reports
8. Take responsibility without excuses or deflection

A news organization's character shows in how it handles mistakes. We handle them with speed, transparency, and accountability.

This Corrections policy is part of NewsDefused's broader editorial standards framework. See also: Authenticity, Technology & AI Policy, Trust, Editorial Standards.