Complaint 00539-16 Cadman v Nottingham Post
Summary of complaint
1. Patricia Cadman complained to the Independent Press Standards Organisation that the Nottingham Post breached Clause 1 (Accuracy), Clause 3 (Privacy) and Clause 5 (Intrusion into grief or shock) of the Editors’ Code of Practice in an article headlined “Teenager accidentally hanged himself by hoodie on gate latch, inquest hears”, published on 24 March 2015.
2. The complainant
said that the article contained inaccuracies and intruded into her family’s
privacy. She also expressed concern that the journalist had not handled
approaches sensitively.
3. The newspaper said that it was very sorry for any upset caused by the article, but did not believe that it had breached the Code.
Relevant Code provisions
4. Clause 1 (Accuracy)
(i) The press must take care not to publish, inaccurate, misleading or distorted information, including pictures.
(ii) A
significant inaccuracy, misleading statement or distortion once recognised must
be corrected, promptly and with due prominence, and – where appropriate – an
apology published.
Clause 3 (Privacy)
(i) Everyone is entitled to respect for his or her private and family life, home, health and correspondence, including digital communications.
Clause 5 (Intrusion into grief or shock)
(i) In cases involving personal grief or shock, enquiries and approaches must be made with sympathy and discretion and publication handled sensitively. This should not restrict the right to report legal proceedings, such as inquests.
Mediated outcome
5. The complaint
was not resolved through direct correspondence between the parties. IPSO
therefore began an investigation into the matter.
6. The newspaper offered to publish an article about a charity the complainant had founded, and to arrange some raffle prizes for a related fundraising event.
7. The complainant
said that these proposals would resolve the matter to her satisfaction.
8. As the complaint was successfully mediated, the Complaints Committee did not make a determination as to whether there had been any breach of the Code.
Date complaint received: 02/03/2016
Date complaint concluded by IPSO: 11/04/2016
The Independent Press Standards Organisation C.I.C. is a Community Interest Company limited by guarantee and registered in England and Wales with registered number 02538908.
