NPR Ombud: Settlement Numbers Wrong

National Public Radio Ombudsman Alicia Shepard reports that the network underestimated the number of Jewish settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem on two occasions, but blamed the CIA's World Factbook for the mistake.

“NPR was wrong simply because the source it used - the much-respected CIA 'World Factbook' - is wrong on that point and has been for several years," Shepard wrote. “In June 2009, NPR reported the total number of settlers as 250,000 and then corrected the figure to '460,000 to 480,000.' An even better current estimate, based on the State Department, the Israeli government, and other sources, would put the figure at around 500,000"

She later added: " ... this is also a reminder not to rely on only one source."