Wednesday 29 October 2008

"Texting reaches record levels"

A common error here, but again one that is probably the sub-editors' fault rather than the journalist. "Texting reaches record levels" is not incorrect, but it is utterly uninteresting, as the amount of texts is something that has been growing for years, and so every new period is essentially a record level.

Tuesday 28 October 2008

Borrowing by the government

A simple headline error this one. It should read 'Borrowing expected to rise to £60bn' or 'Borrowing forecast to rise to £60bn', not 'Borrowing rises to £60bn' as if it had already happened.

Thursday 23 October 2008

Retail sales at lowest level since early 2006

Here's a classic press error which is not in the original Press Association story, so might be the Independent's fault. Retail sales are NOT at their 'lowest level since early 2006'. The rate of growth has fallen to its lowest level since 2006. In fact retail sales in September were 140.4, compared to a peak monthly level (on a seasonally adjusted basis) of 133.3 in 2006. That means they were 5.3% higher than the highest point in 2006.

Tuesday 14 October 2008

Estate agents aren't selling just 1 house a week

Declares the Times. Bizarrely. I know things are bad, but it's not that bad.