LETTERS FROM THE EDITOR: NEWSPAPER ERRORS ARE DAILY TARGET

"Why are there so many spelling and grammar errors in the Southeast Missourian?"

The question was earnest and straightforward. The woman on the telephone was asking out of concern as a longtime and loyal reader.

It is a good question.

Errors in newspapers come in many forms. The worst kind are factual mistakes. This is when reporters write the wrong information and editors don't catch it. Preventing factual errors is a top priority. Reporters who seek more than one source for information generally are the ones who avoid these mistakes. Editors question facts all the time. Keeping the wrong information out the paper is a large part of the newspaper's responsibility to its readers.

But what readers notice most is when a word is misspelled or the grammar is incorrect. These are the nagging errors that drive a conscientious reader batty. And when such a reader sees these errors day after day, it begins to erode confidence in the newspaper's ability to be accurate with facts as well as spelling and grammar.

Even though errors appear in print, reporters and editors for the Southeast Missourian take the problem very seriously. No one is more upset or embarrassed when a word is spelled incorrectly than the folks who are responsible for putting out the paper.

So what are we doing about it?

Special emphasis in being put on reporters and editors (including me) to take the responsibility for accuracy very seriously. At meetings with members of the news staff, this is often a topic of discussion.

And there is what I call the quality circle. It works like this: I point out a spelling error to another editor, who visits with the reporter, who spends more time with a dictionary or stylebook in an effort to improve the stories presented to readers, who call me to point out errors, which I point out to another editor, and so on.

Clearly, the quality of the newspaper is well served when readers take the time to call about errors. It is a matter of accountability to those of you who take accuracy seriously.

In addition, we are taking a step up in the way news is processed here at the Southeast Missourian.

Most larger daily newspapers have what is called a copy desk. This is a group of copy editors whose job is to maintain and enforce high standards regarding story content as well as spelling, style and presentation on the printed page.

We are in the process of establishing the first-ever copy desk at the Southeast Missourian. It will include a news editor, city editor and regional editor who will be responsible for editing every story to be published, including stories from the Associated Press. This is a major step for this newspaper, but it is one prompted by our concern -- and yours -- over accuracy.

All of the pieces are just about in place for the new copy desk, which is a combination of office furniture, computers and knowledgeable human beings. The copy desk portends a better newspaper in the near future.

Does this mean there will come a day when the Southeast Missourian will be free of errors? That will be the goal every day. But the reality is that the computers are operated by human beings, and to err is still human. But I think the overall quality will be significantly improved. And that will be to the advantage of readers who care.

~R. Joe Sullivan is the editor of the Southeast Missourian. If you have comments or suggestions, please call 335-6611. Thanks.