The Associated Press (AP) has recently issued a correction, marking an important event in the world of media. According to a source, the correction was made for an article that was originally published on July 21, 2020.
The article suggested that the pledge of the American National Anthem was written by Francis Scott Key during his 1814 stay in Baltimore’s Fort McHenry, when he viewed the American flag flying over the fort after a British bombing. However, the corrected statement from AP negates this, clarifying that Key actually penned the National Anthem, not the pledge of allegiance as was initially indicated.
The AP statement read, “In a story July 20, 2020, about a Maryland city’s decision to remove a statue of the author of the American national anthem, The Associated Press reported erroneously that Francis Scott Key wrote the anthem’s lyrics during a stay at Fort McHenry in Baltimore in 1814 after seeing the American flag still flying over the fort following a British bombardment. In fact, Key wrote the ‘Star-Spangled Banner,’ not the pledge of allegiance.”
The correction highlights the importance of precision in news reporting and how critical it is for media outlets like AP to maintain accuracy and credibility. As such, it is crucial to distinguish between the Pledge of Allegiance, written in 1892 by Francis Bellamy, and the National Anthem, the Star-Spangled Banner, written by Francis Scott Key in 1814.
This incident serves as a timely reminder for the AP and other media outlets about the paramount importance of fact-checking and ensuring the accuracy of their reporting to maintain public trust. With this correction, the Associated Press has reaffirmed its commitment to uphold the integrity of journalism and factual reporting.
Last modified: March 22, 2025
