The Washington Post publishes a long correction following the Catholic confrontation in Covington

TThe Washington Post on Friday released a long note from the editor acknowledging errors in coverage of a viral incident between high school student Nicholas Sandmann and Native American protester Nathan Phillips in January.

Sandmann, 16, a student at Covington Catholic High School in Kentucky, was at the center of the postage coverage of the January 18 incident on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. But the incident also involved Sandmann's other students, many of whom, like Sandmann himself, wore the "Make America Great Again" hat – in apparent clash with Phillips. Phillips is seen in the viral video standing face to face with Sandmann while playing drums, surrounded by other students.

Swiss Post faces a $ 250 million defamation lawsuit filed by Sandmann in February.

On the basis of an incomplete recording of the incident, the Post had initially reported that one student in the group had prevented Phillips from getting past them. The newspaper also said that Phillips had been provoked by students before the meeting and that these were the instigators of the incident.

"Subsequent reports, a student's statement and an additional video allow a more complete assessment of what happened, whether it contradicts or does not confirm the accounts provided in this article," says the note. the post office.

The Post admitted to having made a mistake in stating that Phillips, who had served in the United States Marines, was a veteran of the Vietnam War. In a separate correction, the paper also noted that he mistakenly described Covington's statement of excuses rather than condemnation, and falsely stated that the group of teens involved in the incident could be heard in the singing video "Build this wall" in Phillips.

In the lawsuit, Sandmann's lawyers said: "The Post has published its false and defamatory charges in a careless and reckless manner, despite internal inconsistencies in Phillips' assertions, as well as significant differences in its misrepresentations. other bodies published on 19 and 20 January. has published its false and defamatory accusations derogating from recognized principles of journalistic ethics, including by not using increased sensitivity towards minors. "