Corrections & Clarifications

Getting it right is the foundation of everything The Christchurch Chronicle does. When we fall short of that, we say so — clearly, promptly and without burying it.

This page is a permanent, running record of corrections, clarifications and updates to our published journalism. It is updated every time we make a significant change to a story. We believe transparency about our mistakes is as important as the journalism itself.

Spotted an error? Email news@scholastica.com — we read every message and respond to every credible report.

How We Handle Errors

Corrections

A correction is issued when we have published something factually wrong — a name misspelled, a figure incorrect, a date wrong, a person misidentified, a quote misattributed. We state what we said, what the correct information is, and when the correction was made. We do not simply overwrite the error and move on. Both the original article and this page are updated.

Clarifications

A clarification is issued when what we published was factually accurate but created a misleading impression, lacked important context, or was ambiguous in a way that affected how readers understood the story. We explain what was unclear and what the full picture is.

Updates

An update notes that circumstances have changed since we published — a court case has concluded, a person has responded, a policy has been reversed. Updates reflect new developments; they are not corrections of errors.

Editor's notes

An editor's note is added to a story when we need to provide significant context about how the story was reported, a limitation in our sourcing, or a material change that goes beyond a standard correction. Editor's notes remain permanently attached to the relevant story.

Retractions

A retraction is reserved for exceptional circumstances — when a story is so fundamentally flawed that it cannot be corrected and should not have been published. Retractions are rare, serious, and always accompanied by a full explanation. A retracted story remains accessible but is clearly labelled as retracted. We do not delete stories; we correct the record.

Our Standards

When we're wrong, we correct the error as quickly as possible and as thoroughly as necessary:

• We correct errors at any time — there is no statute of limitations on accuracy. A story published five years ago that contains a factual error will be corrected today.
• We correct across all platforms where the error appeared — if an error went out in our newsletter or on social media, the correction goes there too.
• We do not remove stories on request. Unpublishing is considered only in exceptional circumstances where continued publication causes serious harm disproportionate to any public interest, or where a story is found to be fundamentally unsound.
• We do not accept payment, legal threats or commercial pressure as a basis for corrections. Corrections are made on editorial grounds only.
• We welcome correction requests from anyone — the subject of a story, a reader, a source, or a member of the public.

How to Report an Error

If you believe something The Christchurch Chronicle has published is inaccurate, misleading or in need of correction, please contact us:

Email: news@scholastica.com

To help us investigate quickly, please include:

• The headline and URL of the story
• The specific sentence, figure or claim you believe is wrong
• What you believe the correct information to be
• Any supporting evidence or sources you can share

We aim to respond within 2 business days and to publish corrections within 5 business days of confirming an error. Complex matters may take longer — we will keep you informed.