Page 1 of 2

Stephen Downing’s case has gained worldwide recognition for campaigning editor Don Hale and the Matlock Mercury.

The world’s press seems to have descended on the Derbyshire town since Downing was released on bail pending an appeal against his conviction for murder.

Articles have appeared in Baltimore Sun, and reporting teams from New York, Boston and Dallas have travelled across the Atlantic to follow up the story.

Last week’s interviews included journalists from Holland, Australia, Belgium, Norway, New Zealand, Canada, and even Iran. This week Don will be interrogated by the Germans.

No-one is keeping a close count but Don said: “More than 38 different countries have run major stories about the case.”

Don’s first major taste of being at the other end of an interview was when he and Downing were quizzed by national and international journalists at one of the most high-profile press conferences the area had ever witnessed.

Next page