Heaven knows as a blogger I’ve made my share of mistakes —- misspelled words, words left out, double punctuation, you name it. What can I say, in today’s 24/7 news cycle it’s oh-so-easy to hack it out and hit ‘publish’ without thoroughly checking your work. No excuse.
So it’s with that in mind that I point out two articles I’ve read today with massive editorial problems. The first is WGHP’s write-up on Greensboro’s International Civil Right Museum. Check it out:
Greensboro’s International Civil Rights Center and Museum operated at a loss of 318-thousand dollars in 2011, according to its Chief Financial Officer.
In 2010, it operated at a profit of more than 226-thousand dollars. Executive Director Bamidele Demerson said museums around the country are struggling.
The museum is experiencing cultural attraction, just as any other museum not only in our community but in the USA. At the same time we have a commitment to growth and development.
And to find ways to make growth profitable. In the two years its been open about 140-thousand people have visited the International Civil Rights Center and Museum in downtown Greensboro. Demerson said they’re getting international visitors as well as locals.
I’ll assume that WGHP’s ‘staff writer’ is a career TV person with no knowledge whatsoever of AP style. Still, I would think common sense dictates that you simply write out the number instead of the word ‘thousand.’
Then there’s this Yes!Weekly article on WSFCS board member Elisabeth Motsinger, who is challenging Rep. Virginia Foxx in the District 5 Congressional race. I read the article with interest because Motsinger —a way-out leftist who was recently arrested outside the White House for opposing the Keystone XL pipeline —- would make the campaign interesting, although I’ll venture to predict she has no chance of defeating Foxx.
Check out this incoherent paragraph:
District “I am interested in moving our country for- — that’s been our goal.” ward — towards one where all people can ex- The house party on Jan. 12 represented the perience the blessings of liberty and where we first step toward achieving those goals. secure the necessary ingredients for a livable “Tonight has been an awesome experience world for our children’s children,” she said. and to see that’s really what people want — Inside Stephanie and Rajesh’s home, they want to their voice is heard, they want to Motsinger said when inspiration first struck know their input is valued — so we hope to to run for Congress she had to go deep inside continue to do this type of thing over and over herself to figure what her campaign would look again,” Joines said.
It may one thing when a writer under deadline stress turns in sloppy copy. But where was the copy editor on this one?
Just so you know, I double-checked this post before I hit ‘publish.’ Still, I’m only one set of eyes, so someone step up, if necessary…..
