h/t blacksportsonline.com

Charlotte Observer executive sports editor Mike Persinger explains how “herniated dick” got into today’s newspaper:

Observer reporter Rick Bonnell wrote the preview box, and in it he wrote that Davis, a former Charlotte Hornet, is recovering from a “herniated disc” in his back. The box was edited by an experienced copy editor, the reporter’s first line of defense, and moved along in the production process as written.

The next stop was a final read by a second editor, another experienced employee who recognized that “herniated disc” doesn’t conform to the newspaper’s style for that type of injury, and that it should be “herniated disk.” That editor tried to type in the correction, but ended up with an unfortunate typo.

Because part of that second editor’s job is to send stories to the typesetter, the typo was moved along without another set of eyes to catch the error, and that led to what you saw in today’s paper. And no doubt to a lot of snickering.

I asked the sports editor what kind of reactions he’s getting. He emailed:

I haven’t gotten many direct calls. In this social media age, Twitter is the response vehicle of choice. Lots of cyber-giggling going on. Even @Baron_Davis has tweeted about the typo. Nice that he can laugh about it.

The person who has taken this the hardest is the copy editor who made the typo. He takes his responsibility, and his role in preserving reader trust, seriously, as we all do. And this is a mistake any of us could have made.

* The difference a letter makes || The official correction

* Earlier: F-word shows up in Greenville News sports story

[There are dozens of comments about this on my Facebook wall. Friend me if you want to read them and join the discussion.]

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE FILM

HOW GIRLS CAN SUCCEED
The society section, for the most part, is handled by newswomen. Important social events are usually covered by society reporters in person, however much of the news [is gathered] over the telephone. Women find it difficult to compete with men in general reporting jobs, so girls who want to be successful in journalism should prepare for work in the special women’s departments. Home decoration, child care, gardening and household hints are found in the homemaking section — a department handled by women.”

THE THRILL OF A BYLINE
The managing editor, who on most papers coordinates all activities of newsgathering, sends reporters out on important assignments. This reporter is in a hurry, and for a very good reason: he’s going to cover a fire. Covering a fire is usually an exciting event, but it doesn’t come nearly as often as you might think. Amid the turmoil and confusion, the reporter must be able to think clearly and quickly and he must get his facts accurately. Assignments of this type may keep a reporter out in bad weather for many hours of hard, tiresome work, but there’s a real thrill in seeing your own byline over a story when it’s in print. And there’s always the feeling that you’ll try to make the next story just a little better.

GET AHEAD WITH ILLUSTRATIONS
The work of feature writers is found in the Sunday editions and in magazines, and these writers have names usually well known to readers. Some feature writers started their careers by writing about their hobbies. A number of magazines will buy articles on: how to do things, and how to make things, especially if the writer can supply good illustrations.

WARNING: IT’S A TOUGH JOB!
You will probably start outside — in just any kind of weather — reporting news, if you choose journalism as your life work. News reporting is a young man’s job, for the reporter must have stamina and endurance to withstand the strain of long and strenuous hours of work. He must have the courage and perseverance to get the story in spite of obstacles. The qualifications of a newspaper worker are not easy ones to fill.

A reader emails: “I noticed this interesting discord on the front page of the Post in its Iowa coverage today:”

Rep. Ron Paul (Tex.) scored a close but disappointing third-place finish…
– Karen Tumulty’s Washington Post story

Although Santorum and Paul proved the doubters wrong with their strong showings Tuesday…
– Dan Balz’s Washington Post piece

“So, was Paul’s showing strong or disappointing?” asks the emailer. “The Post can’t seem to decide.”

– From an election story in today’s Daily Northwestern

Seeing that paragraph about a Medill freshman supporting Rick Santorum reminded me of a little controversy in the summer of 2010 over a recent Medill graduate’s claim that the Northwestern journalism school leans left. Brian Schneider wrote in the Daily Caller:

I was called a “lone wolf” by one professor for having conservative views. I often hear professors, guest speakers and classmates mock Fox’s “fair and balanced” slogan. What I am forced to ask is whether it’s ethical for some of a journalism school’s professors to participate in such a culture.

Brian Schneider

Eric Boehlert of Media Matters criticized Schneider’s piece and wrote that “this recent college grad will likely have a bright, right-wing future writing dubious blog posts for Newsbusters.”

He was wrong about that. Today Schneider is a lacrosse coach at Yale.

A former Boston Phoenix news editor complains that editors at the Globe “continue to insist on taking 100 percent credit” for blowing the clergy sexual abuse story wide open when “they deserve perhaps 90 percent of the credit.” Susan Ryan-Vollmar explains why in her letter to JimRomenesko.com. (I’ve invited Globe editor Marty Baron to respond.)

From SUSAN RYAN-VOLLMAR: I used to be the news editor of the Boston Phoenix back when the paper broke the news that Cardinal Law had been shuffling pedophile priests from parish to parish. This story was published nine months before the Boston Globe published its first “Spotlight” story on the clergy sex abuse scandal. That first story by the Globe did not credit the Phoenix and no story published since in the Globe has ever credited the Phoenix’s work, which can be accessed here.

Today, the Globe ran an interview with Cardinal Sean O’Malley on the occasion of the 10-year anniversary of the Globe’s first story on this topic. In today’s story, Globe reporter Mark Arsenault writes: “The series of events that led to that moment began on Jan. 6, 2002, when the Globe published an article disclosing through court records how Cardinal Bernard F. Law had repeatedly transferred the Rev. John J. Geoghan from parish to parish as reports of sexual abuse arose. The article, followed by others, revealed the full extent of the sexual abuse problem within the archdiocese, triggered a series of other revelations across the country, and ultimately led to Law’s resignation as head of the archdiocese.”

The Globe’s work on this story was phenomenal, and they deserve perhaps 90 percent of the credit for blowing the sex abuse story wide open. But they continue to insist on taking 100 percent credit. Not only does the Globe today fail to credit former Phoenix reporter Kristen Lombardi’s work, but it seems to take credit for the swarm of other stories on clergy sex abuse that popped up around the country. Read More