Resolution Statement 06691-17 Kusz v Daily Record

Resolution Statement 06691-17 Kusz v Daily Record

1. Robert Kusz complained to the Independent Press Standards Organisation that the Daily Record breached Clause 1 (Accuracy) and Clause 3 (Harassment) of the Editors’ Code of Practice in an article headlined “Hamilton woman to repay housing benefit cash”, published on 30 April 2017.

2. The article reported on complainant’s partner’s conviction for benefit fraud.

3. The complainant, acting on behalf of his partner, said that her name had been inaccurately reported.

4. The newspaper said that there was information in the public domain that demonstrated that the complainant’s partner went by the name that was reported in the article.

Relevant Code Provisions

5. 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.

Clause 3 (Harassment)

i) Journalists must not engage in intimidation, harassment or persistent pursuit.

ii) They must not persist in questioning, telephoning, pursuing or photographing individuals once asked to desist; nor remain on property when asked to leave and must not follow them. If requested, they must identify themselves and whom they represent.

iii) Editors must ensure these principles are observed by those working for them and take care not to use non-compliant material from other sources.

Mediated Outcome

6. The complaint was not resolved through direct correspondence between the parties. IPSO therefore began an investigation into the matter.

7. Following IPSO’s intervention, the publication offered to amend the article so that it contained the complainant’s partner’s preferred name.

8. The complainant said that this resolved the matter to his satisfaction.

9. 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: 03/05/2017
Date complaint concluded by IPSO: 17/07/2017