The ongoing saga of singer Susan Boyle’s health has prompted the Press Complaints Commission to remind newspapers about possible privacy breaches by reporting her welfare.

The Britain’s Got Talent star was admitted to a clinic in London on Sunday suffering from exhaustion after missing out on top spot in Saturday night’s final.

Now the PCC has warned editors across the UK not to breach privacy regulations after being contacted by SyCo, the company owned by the show’s creator Simon Cowell.

The email reads: “We have been contacted by the media representative of Susan Boyle, who recently appeared on the programme Britain’s Got Talent.

“As you will see from the attached email, she is concerned about the publication of details about Ms Boyle’s health and treatment.

“She has referred to Clause 3 (Privacy) of the Code and asked the PCC to pass on her concerns so that editors can take them into consideration for the future.”

This email was sent by the PCC to national newspapers and magazines as well as the Press Association and Society of Editors for dissemination to local and regional newspapers.

Comments

Steven Craig (04/06/2009 13:33:23)
It’s about time….

Maryw (04/06/2009 14:41:07)
Thank you SyCo for respecting Susan’s privacy and warning the press, if not a little late, unfortunately it should have been exercised 2 weeks ago.

Cindy Merrill (04/06/2009 16:50:00)
It’s about time the Brittish Press discovered a sense of decency for a change. This comes too late for Princess Di or the “Two Fat Ladies”- but at least Susan Boyle will be spared, at any rate.

Cindy Merrill (04/06/2009 16:53:11)
It’s about time the Brittish Press discovered a sense of decency for a change. This comes too late for Princess Di or the “Two Fat Ladies”- but at least Susan Boyle will be spared, at any rate.

Hannah (05/06/2009 11:31:37)
Oh, come off it. Seriously, comparing Susan Boyle to Princess Di? Get off your moral high horses, Susan Boyle has benefited enormously from all the media attention. Of course it’s a lot for her to take, being a regular Jo, and I agree all the media should have some restraint with reporting on her health, but let’s not pretend this is a Big Bad Media situation. This is what Britain’s Got Talent is all about – elevating people who wouldn’t otherwise be in the spotlight to celebrity status. People love it and that’s why it sells papers, not because tabloids fancy printing tonnes about a random person who can sing.

MHmedia (05/06/2009 11:39:47)
Okay, I can understand not wanting to be hounded by the media(!), but I have to ask why on earth she went in for BGT if she didn’t want to be thrust into the media spotlight? Especially since she has actually got talent?!

Hot Metal (06/06/2009 11:29:51)
Surely the organisers of BGT allowed media reporting of the show’s contestants in the first place to raise viewing figures. It wasn’t by accident that Susan Boyle was featured in the very first audition show, so building up publicity over six or seven weeks rather than just a few days. It’s all very well saying ‘stay away’ now that the show’s over.

Roger Jones (06/06/2009 13:19:31)
It was really good to see an obviously talented disabled person on mainstream TV. Let’s have more. Being in a wheelchair or having another, possibly hidden, disability should in no way preclude anyone from trying their luck. It takes guts to go the programme and Susan certainly has plenty. Well done.
Programme producers take note: Please let us see more disabled contentants on reality TV, or in competitions etc. But they should not be treated differently from anyone else.
Can I suggest that journalists take time to log onto www.nuj.org.uk and have a look at the Disability Handbook proudced by the NUJ’s Disabled Members Council? You may find the Appropriate Language section particularly interesting and informative. The handbook can be printed off.