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Latest resolved complaints dealt with by the PCC

Below are summaries of the latest complaints involving the regional press which have been resolved between the parties involved, with help from the Press Complaints Commission.

Worthing Herald
Carol Clark, of Worthing, complained that she had been contacted by the newspaper – and spoken to in an insensitive manner – after having made clear to another reporter that she did not wish to comment on the news that the train driver who had been responsible for her husband’s death in the 1989 Purley crash had launched an appeal against his conviction for manslaughter. She was also concerned that the newspaper had, against her express wishes, published a photograph of her husband in its coverage of the matter. (Clauses 3, 4, 5)
Resolution: The newspaper denied that it had breached the Code of Practice. Although the complainant remained concerned over the conduct of certain individuals at the newspaper, the complaint was resolved when the editor undertook not to contact her again with regard to the court case, and sent her the letters of appreciation (held by the newspaper) relating to her husband, Colin Clark, who had worked as a journalist there.

South Wales Argus
Amy Stephens, of Cwmbran, complained that an inquest report into the death of her ex-partner, Stephen John Williams, had inaccurately claimed that he had received a letter from the Child Support Agency stating that he might not be the father of his daughter. In fact, this was a claim made by one of the witnesses who spoke at the inquest. The complainant was also concerned over the way she had been spoken to by a member of staff at the newspaper. (Clause 1)
Resolution: The complaint was resolved when the newspaper published the following clarification: Our report of the inquest into the death of Mr Stephen John Williams published on May 22, 2007, stated as fact that Mr Williams had received a letter from the Child Support Agency questioning the paternity of his daughter. We are happy to clarify that this was a claim made by a witness at the inquest. We apologise for any distress caused. The newspaper also apologised for the manner in which the complainant had been handled.

Southern Reporter
Mr and Mrs Crew, parents of the late Daniel Thomas Crew, complained that two articles had contained inaccuracies and had intruded into their grief. The complainants’ central concern related to the detail the first article had contained about the method by which their son had committed suicide while in prison. In their view, this should not have been included. This article had also inaccurately set out the court at which Daniel Crew had been jailed, and the amount of time he had been in prison prior to his death. Moreover, it had referred to him as a ‘hospital rowdy’. A second article had incorrectly referred to Daniel Crew as the partner of a woman who had committed a breach of the peace. The complainants had not been aware that – prior to publication of this article – this woman had claimed to be carrying Daniel’s child. Moreover, there was no need to repeat the facts regarding Daniel’s suicide in this article. The complainants contended that the newspaper’s reporting of their son’s suicide had failed to show sympathy or discretion. (Clauses 1, 5)
Resolution: The complaint was resolved when the editor wrote a personal letter to the complainants, apologising for the distress caused by the coverage and indicating that – in future – greater care would be taken when reporting on similar matters.

Evening Express
Denise Boyne of the Triple Threat Theatre Company complained that an article which reported that the group charged performers for participation in productions contained inaccuracies. (Clause 1)
Resolution: The complaint was resolved privately between the parties following a meeting.

Newcastle Evening Chronicle
Ken Marshall, of Newcastle, complained on behalf of his sister Susan Grady that an article about her son’s death was published against the wishes of the family and contained inaccuracies. (Clause 1)
Resolution: The newspaper apologised to the complainant for adding to the anguish of the family at such a time. The complaint was resolved on the basis of a published apology with the following wording: Further to an article published on May 8 about the tragic death of Dale Mooney, we would like to apologise both for the inaccuracies contained in the article and the publication of an article against the wishes of his family. This was the result of a breakdown in internal staff communication which has now been investigated and steps taken to avoid such a mistake happening in the future.

Lancashire Evening Telegraph
D Finlay, Managing Director of Blackburn Ice Arena, complained that various articles and letters about a “spectator charge” for parents dropping off their children were inaccurate and misleading. (Clause 1)
Resolution: The complaint was resolved when the newspaper published a prominent follow-up article making clear the organisation’s position on the entire matter.

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