A statement regarding errors in The Presbyterian Outlook Wednesday, September 8, 2004 On March 25, 2004, The Layman notified Rev. O. Benjamin Sparks, interim editor of The Presbyterian Outlook, that two editorials appearing in The Presbyterian Outlook included two statements regarding a 1989 Layman article that were erroneous. Rev. Sparks was asked to correct these false statements. [text of letter] On April 8, 2004, Rev. Sparks replied, stating that he was conducting research into the alleged inaccuracies, and he stated his belief regarding what The Layman meant to say in its articles. [text of letter] On April 19, 2004, The Layman acknowledged Rev. Sparks' letter, repeated its request for a retraction of the two false statements, and reminded Rev. Sparks that although his publication has a right to voice any opinion that it chooses to promote, it may not proffer unsubstantiated opinion as if it were fact. "When you purport to publish statements of fact regarding our work," said The Layman, "it is important that you state what we said, not what you think we meant by what we said." [text of letter] On September 6, 2004, Rev. Sparks published an editorial in which he stated that The Presbyterian Outlook was under no legal obligation to correct statements that appear within an editorial. "Editorial speech is protected," he said. Rev. Sparks admitted to one misstatement of fact, while stating the opinion that The Layman's "mood" was "redolent with the trappings of the McCarthy hearings in the 1950's." Rev. Sparks failed to correct the second false statement about which he had been notified, saying that it had been written by "a fine journalist" who is no longer employed by The Presbyterian Outlook. The Layman stands by the accuracy of its 1989 article, and expresses its regret that The Presbyterian Outlook has chosen not to retract published statements after having been informed that they were false. Parker T. Williamson Editor and Chief Executive Officer

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