Resolution Statement: Complaint 01833-14 Solomon v Daily Mail
Summary
of complaint
1. Raymond Solomon complained to the Independent Press Standards Organisation that the Daily Mail had published an article, headlined “Fanatics stab 4 in Israeli attacks”, on 11 November 2014, which raised a breach of Clause 1 (Accuracy) of the Editors’ Code of Practice.
2. The complainant expressed concern that the newspaper had stated that Tel Aviv was Israel’s capital, rather than Jerusalem. He requested a correction in print, as well as online.
3. The newspaper said this was a simple editorial mistake and corrected the online article and appended the following footnote:
“An earlier version of this article referred to Tel Aviv as Israel’s capital. We accept that Israel has designated Jerusalem as its capital.”
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. In cases involving the Regulator, prominence should be agreed with the Regulator in advance.
Mediated
outcome
5. The complaint was not resolved through direct correspondence between the parties. IPSO therefore instigated an investigation into the matter.
6. The newspaper offered to publish the following wording in its “Clarifications and corrections” section on page two of its print edition:
“A NEWS item on 11 November referred to Tel Aviv as Israel’s capital. While foreign embassies are located in Tel Aviv, we are happy to clarify that Israel designates Jerusalem as its capital.”
7. The complainant said the publication of the printed correction had resolved the matter to his 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: 18/11/2014
Date
complaint concluded by IPSO: 27/11/2014
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.
