Resolution Statement – 06575-20 Brown v thesun.co.uk
Summary of Complaint
1. Kerry Brown complained to the Independent Press Standards
Organisation that thesun.co.uk breached Clause1 (Accuracy) of the Editors' Code
of Practice in an article headlined "BREAKING FREE Brits hit parks and
beaches in first weekend since lockdown eased – as cops do spot checks”,
published on 16 May 2020.
2. The article reported that millions of people had visited
beauty spots and holiday destinations following the easing of Coronavirus
lockdown restrictions. The article featured a video of people walking on, and
near to, Weymouth Beach.
3. A similar version of the video shot from different angle
was also published on the publication’s YouTube channel.
4. The complainant said that the article was misleading as
the video was taken around six years ago and not recently as reported. She said
that her daughter was featured in the video walking out of the sea with her
friend; the complainant said that the only time they had spent time together at
this location was six years ago. The complainant said that the seafront had
changed in this time and produced annotated photographs of the scenery and how
the area had changed in order to support her position.
5. The publication denied any breach of the code and it
produced a screenshot of the video’s Metadata which it said demonstrated that
it was taken 16 May 2020. The publication also provided images from Google
Streetview which it said proved that the developments from the video were
consistent with those featured in the footage.
Relevant Code Provisions
6. Clause 1 (Accuracy)
i) The Press must take care not to publish inaccurate,
misleading or distorted information or images, including headlines not
supported by the text.
ii) A significant inaccuracy, misleading statement or
distortion must be corrected, promptly and with due prominence, and — where
appropriate — an apology published. In cases involving IPSO, due prominence
should be as required by the regulator.
iii) A fair opportunity to reply to significant inaccuracies
should be given, when reasonably called for.
iv) The Press, while free to editorialise and campaign, must
distinguish clearly between comment, conjecture and fact.
Mediated Outcome
7. The complaint was not resolved through direct
correspondence between the parties. IPSO therefore began an investigation into
the matter.
8. During IPSO’s investigation, the publication offered to
remove the article from its website and the video from its YouTube channel as
means to resolve the matter.
9. The complainant said that this would resolve the matter
to her satisfaction.
10. 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: 18/05/2020
Date complaint concluded by IPSO: 03/08/2020