When something is wrong.
WHEN YOU FIND AN ERROR
Correct it promptly Note that it was corrected, if it was substantive Check whether the same error appears elsewhere
WHY NOTE THE CORRECTION
Silently changing published content is noticed and it damages trust more than the error did.
A note saying what was corrected demonstrates care.
IF SOMEONE ELSE FINDS IT
Thank them. Correct it. Do not argue.
The person who told you did you a favour.
IF IT CAUSED HARM
Correct it, tell anyone who may have relied on it, and take advice if the consequences are significant.
WHAT TO CHECK AFTER FINDING ONE
Whether other content produced the same way has similar errors.
One fabricated statistic suggests a process problem, not an isolated slip.
PREVENTING RECURRENCE
Identify how it got through. Usually verification was skipped.
FOR AI-GENERATED CONTENT SPECIFICALLY
If you published something containing a fabricated fact, review everything produced the same way.
THE HONEST POSITION
Errors happen. How you handle them is what people remember.
