Monday, May 23, 2005

Your daily newspaper shouldn't be a mystery. So here are answers to some frequently asked questions. (And if the answer is not here, please call, e-mail or write us. We enjoy hearing from readers and will respond.)

Q. How do I correct an error?
A. If we made a mistake, we want to fix it. Contact the editor in charge of the newspaper section in which the mistake occurred. For example, call the news editor if the mistake was spotted in the front news section or the Metro section. If you are uncertain whom to contact, try news editor Steve Parker at sparker@post-dispatch.com or 314-340-8287. For corrections on the web site, contact online news director Kurt Greenbaum at kgreenbaum@post-dispatch.com or 314-340-8123.

Q. Almost every day it seems the newspaper lists corrections (found on page A2). Are there really that many errors?
A. We are serious about accuracy. We fix errors large and small. Considering the number of stories we run each day, our error rate is very small. Every story is reviewed by a reporter, multiple editors and members of our copy desk.

Q. Are the news stories slanted or biased?
A. News stories should be free of a reporter's or newspaper's opinion. That's a basic journalistic practice among North American newspapers. Our news departments strive to present stories with neutrality and free of political or social bias. But columnists and critics are expected to register their opinions. And it is the business of the editorial page to state the newspaper's positions on the news of the day. The staffs of our news departments and editorial departments are separate -- there is even a door between them.

Q. How do I get my news into the paper?
A. Call, write, e-mail or fax the staff member responsible for your area of interest.
The names of editors, the street addresses of our offices, along with e-mail
addresses, fax numbers and staff members' direct phone numbers, should open the
doors of the Post-Dispatch to you. And remember: often a reporter's name and contact information appears at the end of a storry.

Q. Sometimes the TV listings are wrong. And why don't you list programs for
ALL channels available, including those on digital cable and satellite?
A. As for errots, we get our listings from Tribune Media Services; stations are supposed to send them program changes. If they don't make changes, we can't either. Also, P-Dtv is printed about 10 days before it's inserted in your Sunday Post-Dispatch, so last-minute changes appear in the Everyday section. As for listings, we do our best within our space limitations. In 1999, we upgraded our listings to include 57 channels.

Q. How do I get a copy of a story that appeared in the last week, last month,
last several months?
A. Most stories from the Post-Dispatch are available on STLtoday.com for seven days. Try the typing a key word into site search at the top of nearly every web page, or click the "story finder" link next to it. The Post-Dispatch archives are also available online. Click the P-D Archives link on the left column of the home page for more information.

For reprints, keep reading. There's more information below.

Q. How do I reach a reporter?
A. The reporter's byline appears at the top of nearly every story in the paper.
Likewise, the Post-Dispatch reporters' phone number and e-mail address appears
at the bottom of nearly every story.

Q. How do I subscribe to the newspaper?
Click here: http://promos.stltoday.com/pd_pop/form.html or call 314-340-8888.

Q. How do I go about purchasing a previous edition of the St. Louis
Post-Dispatch?
If you would like to purchase a copy of previous editions, contact the St.
Louis Post-Dispatch Customer Service Department at 800-365-0820 ext. 8888.