Readers' Representative

If you believe that we have made an error, or you have questions about The Times' journalistic standards and practices, you may use this online form, call (877) 554-4000, or fax (213) 237-3535 or mail to Readers' Representative, 202 W. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90012.


The Readers' Representative Journal -- a blog about newsroom practices and standards at the Los Angeles Times -- can be reached by clicking here.



For the record

Toyota incident: An article in Business on Tuesday described efforts by Toyota Motor Corp. to replicate an incident in which a driver said his Prius accelerated uncontrollably. The subheadline, "Toyota says it couldn't make the car involved in last week's incident malfunction again," erred in using "again." As the article pointed out, it has not been conclusively determined whether the vehicle had malfunctioned.

Trees for veterans: An article in Sunday's Section A about a tree-planting program to honor veterans described Frankie Sanchez as a Vietnam War veteran. Sanchez served in the Army during the Vietnam War era but never deployed to Vietnam.

Supervisors' spending: An article in Section A on March 11 about Los Angeles County supervisors' discretionary spending said their office accounts included $27 million in unspent funds, enough to cover the salaries of 216 social workers for a year. In fact, it is enough to cover the cost to the county of 216 social workers for a year, including benefits and clerical support.

Copyright battle: An article in Friday's Business section about a simmering fight between Viacom Inc. and Google Inc. over programming on the Internet said Cartoon Network was a Viacom channel. It is a unit of Time Warner Inc.

Willie Davis memorial: In Wednesday's Sports section, a Day in Sports item about the memorial for former Los Angeles Dodger Willie Davis said the event was held at the Stadium Club at Dodger Stadium. It was held at the stadium's Dugout Club.

If you believe that we have made an error, or you have questions about The Times' journalistic standards and practices, you may contact Deirdre Edgar, readers' representative, by e-mail at readers.representative@latimes.com, by phone at (877) 554-4000, by fax at (213) 237-3535 or by mail at 202 W. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90012. The readers' representative office is online at latimes.com/readersrep.

For the record

Texas: An Op-Ed article Wednesday incorrectly reported that the new Texas Board of Education social studies standards describe the United States as a "Christian nation." Although several board members have made that assertion, it does not appear in the standards themselves.

Healthcare: An Op-Ed article Thursday reported that Anthem Blue Cross is raising rates on insurance premiums in California by nearly 40%. The company is raising only some of its rates by that amount. Other increases are smaller.

Backgrounder: A dark graphic obscured the text of a healthcare Q&A Friday. The text can be read at latimes.com/opinion.

For the record

Israel: A March 11 editorial about the "two-state" solution said that Israel erected a barricade between itself and the occupied territories. In fact, the barrier does not directly follow the line separating Israel from the territories but cuts into West Bank land.

For the record

'Other Flowers': A review in Sunday's Arts & Books section of the book "Other Flowers: Uncollected Poems" by James Schuyler misspelled co-editor James Meetze's last name as Metzee.

If you believe that we have made an error, or you have questions about The Times' journalistic standards and practices, you may contact Deirdre Edgar, readers' representative, by e-mail at readers.representative@latimes.com, by phone at (877) 554-4000, by fax at (213) 237-3535 or by mail at 202 W. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90012. The readers' representative office is online at latimes.com/readersrep.

For the record

Fountain maker: An article in Business on Sunday about Mark Fuller said his project for the Bellagio hotel in Las Vegas amounted to $2.7 million. His firm's contract was for $27 million.

Kids' Reading Room: In the March 7 Kids' Reading Room, a review of the book "Friends" by Helme Heine appeared in Creativity Corner, a column of original writings by young readers. It should have appeared in Kids' Book Reviews.

Classic Hollywood: The Classic Hollywood column in Wednesday's Calendar said that "The Goldbergs: The Ultimate Goldbergs" DVD set was available only on the Shout! Factory website. It is also available on the UCLA Film & Television Archive's site at www.cinema .ucla.edu/goldbergs/index .html.

Shopping column: In Sunday's Image section, the Shopping column listed an incorrect e-mail address to RSVP for the Jodi Arnold trunk show being held Saturday. The correct address is rsvpla@jodiarnold nyc.com.

Probation camp fight probe: An article in Wednesday's LATExtra section about the arrest of a former probation camp teacher for allegedly arranging fights between students in his class said school officials removed the teacher, Stephen Wesley, from the classroom five days after the alleged fights were reported. Los Angeles County Office of Education officials clarified that Wesley was not given any teaching assignments during that five-day interim.

If you believe that we have made an error, or you have questions about The Times' journalistic standards and practices, you may contact Deirdre Edgar, readers' representative, by e-mail at readers.representative@latimes.com, by phone at (877) 554-4000, by fax at (213) 237-3535 or by mail at 202 W. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90012. The readers' representative office is online at latimes.com/readersrep.

For the record

Happiness: In Meghan Daum's March 11 column on books about happiness, author Gretchen Rubin's husband was identified as a hedge-fund manager. He is a partner in a private equity firm.

For the record

Iraq election: A March 9 editorial mentioned the 352 seats in Iraq's parliament. There are 325 seats.

For the record

Robert E. Litman obituary: A photo that appeared with a news obituary in the March 7 California section misidentified Dr. Robert E. Litman and Norman Farberow. Litman is on the right, Farberow on the left.

New warfare: An article in the March 4 Section A about the U.S. military's new approach to warfare incorrectly stated that the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff serves as the president's chief military advisor under the Constitution. The position of chairman and its role was created by U.S. law, not the Constitution.

New York wine sales: An article in the March 7 Section A said a proposal to allow New York grocery stores to sell wine would also allow liquor stores to sell cigarettes and beer. The proposal would permit liquor stores to sell cigars and soda, but not cigarettes and beer.

Estate planning: The Personal Finance column about estate planning in the March 7 Business section misidentified the book "Trial & Heirs: Famous Fortune Fights!" by Andrew W. Mayoras and Danielle B. Mayoras as "Trial and Errors: Famous Fortune Fights."

Inventors Day: A column in the March 7 Business section about inventors who gathered to show their wizardry to a panel headed by infomercial marketer A.J. Khubani said Scott Heim runs Oregon Freeze Dry Inc. His company, which is based in Oregon, is called Dry Inc.

On the NFL: Sam Farmer's On the NFL column in the March 7 Sports section, a mock draft, misidentified Russell Okung's school as Texas. He played for Oklahoma State.

Jerry Crowe: Crowe's "Text messages from press row . . ." column in Friday's Sports section included a comment on Chick Anderson's call of Secretariat's 31-length victory in the 1973 Belmont Stakes. The correct spelling of Anderson's first name is Chic.

Arizona basketball: A photograph on the cover of Friday's Sports section identified an Arizona basketball player as Brendon Lavender. The player was Solomon Hill.

Tax credits: An article in the Feb. 21 California section about businesses fighting a proposal in the state that would match certain state tax credits and penalties with those on federal tax returns erred in saying that Congress and the White House were under Republican control when the federal penalties passed in 2007. Democrats had a majority in the House of Representatives in 2007.

If you believe that we have made an error, or you have questions about The Times' journalistic standards and practices, you may contact Deirdre Edgar, readers' representative, by e-mail at readers.representative

@latimes.com, by phone at (877) 554-4000, by fax at (213) 237-3535 or by mail at 202 W. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90012. The readers' representative office is online at latimes.com/readersrep.

For the record

Parade: A March 6 editorial said the principal of Wadsworth Avenue Elementary School was off campus during a Black History Month event in which children carried pictures of O.J. Simpson, Dennis Rodman and RuPaul. She was on campus.

For the Record

MySpace strategy: A photo caption in Wednesday's Business section with an article about efforts to revive the struggling online social network misspelled the last name of MySpace product lead Ali Tahmasbi as Tahmusbi.

Inventors Day: A column in Sunday's Business section about inventors who gathered to show their wizardry to a panel headed by infomercial marketer A.J. Khubani said Scott Heim runs Oregon Freeze Dry Inc. His company, which is based in Oregon, is called Dry Inc.

Christopher Nolan: An article about filmmaker Christopher Nolan in Wednesday's Calendar said his next movie, "Inception," opens July 19. It opens July 16.

Tax credits: An article in the Feb. 21 California section about businesses fighting a proposal in the state that would match certain state tax credits and penalties with those on federal tax returns erred in saying that Congress and the White House were under Republican control when the federal penalties passed in 2007. Democrats had a majority in the House of Representatives in 2007.

Jet Propulsion Lab: An article in Tuesday's Section A about cases the Supreme Court plans to decide said the Jet Propulsion Laboratory is in Pasadena. It is in La Cañada Flintridge.

On the NFL: Sam Farmer's On the NFL column in Sunday's Sports section, a mock draft, misidentified Russell Okung's school as Texas. He played for Oklahoma State.

If you believe that we have made an error, or you have questions about The Times' journalistic standards and practices, you may contact Deirdre Edgar, readers' representative, by e-mail at readers.representative

@latimes.com, by phone at (877) 554-4000, by fax at (213) 237-3535 or by mail at 202 W. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90012. The readers' representative office is online at latimes.com/readersrep.

For the Record

Teachers' suspension: An article in Thursday's LATExtra section about the suspension of three L.A. Unified teachers quoted Los Angeles Unified School District spokeswoman Gayle Pollard-Terry as saying O.J. Simpson, Dennis Rodman and RuPaul were included on a list of prominent African Americans approved by Wadsworth Avenue Elementary School for study during Black History Month. Pollard-Terry later said only Simpson's name appeared on the approved list, which dated to 1985. She said the names of Rodman and RuPaul, among others, were added in pencil when teachers were selecting figures to highlight in a school parade, and were not seen by the school principal.

Anita Figueredo obituary: A news obituary on Dr. Anita Figueredo, a pioneering surgeon in San Diego County, in Monday's LATExtra section said her memorial service March 19 would be on the UC San Diego campus. The service will be held at the Immaculata on the University of San Diego campus.

Gene Chenault obituary: A news obituary on Gene Chenault in the LATExtra section on March 3 said radio consultants Chenault and Bill Drake's "Boss Radio" format spread to cities including San Diego after its success at KHJ in Los Angeles. Chenault and Drake started working as consultants in San Diego in 1964 before coming to Los Angeles.

Golf courses: An article in the March 14 Travel section about PGA courses where the public can play had an incorrect byline. The writer was Ken Van Vechten, not Kevin Van Vechten.

Estimated taxes: An item in the Small Business In Box article in Monday's Section A about tax payments for the self-employed said estimated taxes must be paid in four annual installments. The IRS and the state of California require the self-employed to estimate what they owe and pay that amount in four equal payments during the year.

New York wine sales: An article in Section A on Sunday said a proposal to allow New York grocery stores to sell wine would also allow liquor stores to sell cigarettes and beer. The proposal would permit liquor stores to sell cigars and soda, but not cigarettes and beer.

Oscars photo credit: In Monday's Oscars section, the last name of Times staff photographer Al Seib was misspelled as Seig in a photo credit with an article about the scene backstage at the Academy Awards.

'Hurt Locker' producer: In Tuesday's Calendar section, a caption with an article about Oscar parties misidentified "Hurt Locker" producer Greg Shapiro as "Crazy Heart's" Ryan Bingham.

Ed Ruscha: A weekend pick in Thursday's Calendar section said that a new book of artworks by Ed Ruscha featured writing by Richard Wagner. The writing is by Los Angeles author Bruce Wagner.

Grateful Dead: An article in the March 5 Calendar section about a Grateful Dead exhibition at the New York Historical Society attributed a quote to a woman identified as "Steele." The quote was from Christine Bunting, head of special collections and archives at UC Santa Cruz.

If you believe that we have made an error, or you have questions about The Times' journalistic standards and practices, you may contact Deirdre Edgar, readers' representative, by e-mail at readers.representative

@latimes.com, by phone at (877) 554-4000, by fax at (213) 237-3535 or by mail at 202 W. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90012. The readers' representative office is online at latimes.com/readersrep.

For the record

Toyota: In an Op-Ed article Tuesdayabout acceleration problems in Toyotas, the year of the author's accident was incorrect. It was 1992, not 1991.

For the record

Bodhi Tree Bookstore: An article in the LATExtra section Saturday about the Iliad Bookshop in North Hollywood said the Bodhi Tree Bookstore in West Hollywood had closed. The store is still open and is expected to remain so until 2011. The owners of the store have sold the property and are looking for a buyer for the business who would continue operating the bookstore at a different location.

Jerry Brown: A March 1 Op-Ed article referred to Jerry Brown as the youngest governor of California. He was not. John Downey, who served as lieutenant governor, was 32 when he assumed the governorship in 1860, after his predecessor moved to the U.S. Senate. Brown was 36 when he was first elected governor in 1974.

If you believe that we have made an error, or you have questions about The Times' journalistic standards and practices, you may contact Deirdre Edgar, readers' representative, by e-mail at readers.representative

@latimes.com, by phone at (877) 554-4000, by fax at (213) 237-3535 or by mail at 202 W. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90012. The readers' representative office is online at latimes.com/readersrep.

For the record

Brown: A March 1 Op-Ed article referred to Jerry Brown as the youngest governor of California. He was not. John Downey, who served as lieutenant governor, was 32 when he ascended to the governorship in 1860, after his predecessor moved to the U.S. Senate. Brown was 36 when first elected governor in 1974.

For the record

Patzert: In the Patt Asks Q&A with climatologist Bill Patzert on Feb. 13, the amount of greenhouse gases was said to be higher now than in the last 600 million years. The correct time frame is 600,000 years.

For the record

Vancouver: An editorial Feb. 16 about NBC Universal's Olympic coverage said that the company would air 835 hours of video on broadcast and cable TV networks in addition to more than 400 hours of live coverage online. In fact, the 835 hours includes the live Web streams; the broadcast and cable networks will air only 435 hours of that total.

For the record

Fines: A Feb. 6 editorial said the penalty for making a rolling right turn at a stoplight in Los Angeles is $381. It's $446.

For the record

Letters: A Feb. 6 letter on the difficulty many people have distinguishing the difference between millions and billions said that 56.5 million is less than .003% of 20 billion. It is less than 0.3% of 20 billion.

For the record

Saab: Meghan Daum's column on Feb. 2 about Saab said that Kurt Vonnegut owned a Saab dealership in the 1970s. He owned the dealership in the 1950s.

For the record

Okinawa: A Jan. 30 editorial on plans to relocate a U.S. Marine Corps air base to the city of Nago said it is located on the southern end of the island. It is in the northeast.
Advertisement
The Latest | news as it happens