HACKWATCH
Writing the wrongs
AFTER years of cutting back on sub-editors, lawyers and experienced hacks all around – not to mention the widespread switch to a headline model based on reader-baiting and editorial wishful thinking – the Street of Shame is embroiled in a comedy of errors…
“A commentary on December 2 about the impact of the Budget on pubs claimed that business rates could rise by 400% in one year, and a pub would pay an extra £50,000. In fact, the rise in business rates is capped at 15%, and the pub is estimated to pay around £1,000 more next year.” – Daily Mail, 19 December
“The headline ‘Thousands of migrants let in despite failing language tests’ (online Dec 7) has been amended to read ‘Thousands of migrants may have been let in despite failing language tests’ in order to reflect the text of the article.” – Daily Telegraph, 9 December