Errors must be identified and corrected.

Purpose

This principle maintains the reliability of records by requiring active responsibility when mistakes are discovered.

Principle

Errors must be identified and corrected.

Meaning

No record is beyond review. When inaccuracies, omissions, or misunderstandings appear, they should be openly acknowledged and repaired through proper process.

Correction strengthens credibility.

What Counts as Error

• Misheard or misquoted statements.
• Incorrect attribution.
• Missing or mistaken context.
• Confusion between discussion and decision.
• Technical mistakes in transcription or storage.

Why Correction Matters

• Prevents drift of meaning over time.
• Protects people from being misrepresented.
• Maintains trust in the archive.
• Demonstrates commitment to truth rather than appearance.

Correction Is Not Weakness

Admitting error shows responsibility. Refusing correction allows distortion to harden.

Examples

• Updating a transcript after participants review it.
• Adding clarification where ambiguity created confusion.
• Marking outdated interpretations.
• Restoring portions that were accidentally omitted.

Risks if Ignored

• False information becomes normalized.
• Authority may be wrongly claimed.
• Disputes grow harder to resolve.
• Confidence in record-keeping declines.

Safeguards

• Provide clear pathways for reporting mistakes.
• Keep version history.
• Preserve original material while noting revisions.
• Involve lawful authorities where meaning is affected.

Cross-references

• Recording Requires Careful Attention to Accuracy
• Accuracy and Restraint Preserve Integrity
• Verification Strengthens Trust
• Version History Supports Transparency
• Method Matters as Much as Content

Notes

Future development may include formal review procedures and timelines for correction.