The majority of complaints made to the Press Complaints Commission, which raise a possible breach of the Code of Practice, are resolved directly between the Commission’s staff, editors and complainants.

These are either settled to the express satisfaction of the complainant following some remedial action by the editor or are not pursued by complainants following an explanation or other response from the publication.

Below are summaries of the latest complaints involving the regional press which fall into the first category.

Evening Times
Christine McKenzie complained that an article intruded into the privacy of her young child and was inaccurate. (Clauses 1, 6)
Resolution: The newspaper wrote directly to the complainant apologising for the distress that had been caused. A note was attached to its electronic library files to the effect that details about the complainant’s son must not be repeated without gaining the permission of the complainant herself.

The Herald
Christine McKenzie complained that an article intruded into the privacy of her young child and was inaccurate. (Clauses 1, 6)
Resolution: The newspaper wrote directly to the complainant apologising for the distress that had been caused. A note was attached to its electronic library files to the effect that details about the complainant’s son must not be repeated without gaining the permission of the complainant herself.

The Extra
Thomas Johnstone complained that an article on a dispute between him and a former tenant contained inaccuracies and that he had not received an opportunity to reply. (Clauses 1, 2)
Resolution: The complaint was resolved when the newspaper published a follow-up article which clarified the points in contention and apologised for any confusion.

Sunday Mercury
Lynda Cooper of Tipton complained that the newspaper had published an e-mailed letter from her, at the end of which she had accidentally omitted her name, under a pseudonym. (Clause 1)
Resolution: The complaint was resolved when the newspaper published a correction and instigated new procedures in regard to the publication of anonymous or partially-addressed emails.

Exmouth Herald
B Trench complained that the manner in which the death of his grandson was reported was insensitive to his family during a time of grief. (Clause 5)
Resolution: The newspaper provided a private apology to the family of the deceased.

Wiltshire Gazette & Herald
The Earl of Cardigan complained that two articles in relation to plans to build a £70m hotel and golf resort at Tottenham House contained a number of inaccuracies. (Clause 1)
Resolution: The complaint was resolved when the newspaper published a correction on the points raised and apologised for the errors.

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