POLICE and embassy officials agree that a Swedish man found dead in his 10-floor apartment in Patong on January 20 most likely wounded himself by falling on broken glass first, then bled to death in a drunken stupor.
Phuketwan's initial report within hours of the discovery of the man's body one week ago, based on the initial impression of police and graphic photographs of what appeared to be stab wounds, concluded that a murder had taken place.
We now accept that our report of the ''murder'' was in error. In many ways, given the constant speculation elsewhere that so many apparent suicides by expats are murder, we are delighted to be proved wrong.
To put the error in context, Phuketwan has published 3500 articles in three years. This is the first mistake that we consider warrants a written apology to readers.
Our ethics oblige us to correct errors. Other news sources bury their mistakes.
Phuketwan has pulled down from the site three articles in three years. One of those was based on minor errors of fact.
On the other two occasions, the articles were pulled to protect sources who felt pressured by employers to withdraw their remarks. All were connected with property reports.
We remain keen to continue to provide news speedily and accurately, and to correct all errors.
Coincidentally, this week Phuketwan revealed the plan to launch Phuket's second weekly newspaper, from March 4. Competition is good for Phuket. Another source of news must be welcomed.
Phuket's media has grown rapidly in the past few years, with more outlets now available across television, radio, online and now print.
Phuketwan is ready to continue to be measured by readers on those two key components of good news journalism, speed and accuracy.
We also plan to continue to dissect events on Phuket and around the region, the nation and the world, and to anticipate and report on essential changes that are now being more commonly accepted by Phuket residents and leaders because of Phuketwan coverage.
Having led the way on Phuket with photojournalism, with reader comment feedback and with a promise of ethical behavior free from self-interest, we are confident Phuketwan's audience will continue to grow rapidly, even if, in an effort to better serve our readers, we sometimes inevitably make judgements in haste.
Phuketwan's initial report within hours of the discovery of the man's body one week ago, based on the initial impression of police and graphic photographs of what appeared to be stab wounds, concluded that a murder had taken place.
We now accept that our report of the ''murder'' was in error. In many ways, given the constant speculation elsewhere that so many apparent suicides by expats are murder, we are delighted to be proved wrong.
To put the error in context, Phuketwan has published 3500 articles in three years. This is the first mistake that we consider warrants a written apology to readers.
Our ethics oblige us to correct errors. Other news sources bury their mistakes.
Phuketwan has pulled down from the site three articles in three years. One of those was based on minor errors of fact.
On the other two occasions, the articles were pulled to protect sources who felt pressured by employers to withdraw their remarks. All were connected with property reports.
We remain keen to continue to provide news speedily and accurately, and to correct all errors.
Coincidentally, this week Phuketwan revealed the plan to launch Phuket's second weekly newspaper, from March 4. Competition is good for Phuket. Another source of news must be welcomed.
Phuket's media has grown rapidly in the past few years, with more outlets now available across television, radio, online and now print.
Phuketwan is ready to continue to be measured by readers on those two key components of good news journalism, speed and accuracy.
We also plan to continue to dissect events on Phuket and around the region, the nation and the world, and to anticipate and report on essential changes that are now being more commonly accepted by Phuket residents and leaders because of Phuketwan coverage.
Having led the way on Phuket with photojournalism, with reader comment feedback and with a promise of ethical behavior free from self-interest, we are confident Phuketwan's audience will continue to grow rapidly, even if, in an effort to better serve our readers, we sometimes inevitably make judgements in haste.
You were wrong. Now you have had the decency to apologise. Well done. Enough said - surely.
Posted by Pete on January 27, 2011 12:59