Resolution Statement 08220-19 Osinyemi v mylondon.news
Summary of Complaint
1. Abi Osinyemi complained to the Independent Press
Standards Organisation that mylondon.news breached Clause 10 (Clandestine
devices and subterfuge) of the Editors’ Code of Practice in an article headlined
“What life's like in part of Croydon that's one of London's most deprived
areas”, published on 17 October 2019.
2. The article reported on people who lived in an area that
had been found in a recent study to be one of the most deprived in London. In
addition to the inclusion of statistics about the area, there was a selection
of quotes from people who lived and worked in the area about their experiences.
3. The complainant was one of the people quoted and named in
the article, and said that the publication had breached Clause 10. He said that
the reporter had introduced herself by saying that “the Council wanted to hear
people’s thoughts and experiences because they wanted to take steps to improve
the area”. He said he had no reason to believe she was a reporter, and spoke to
her solely on the basis that he believed she worked for the Council. He said
that he would not have spoken to the reporter had he known she was a reporter,
and would not have consented for his conversation to be recorded or published
if this was the case.
4. The publication said it did not accept that it had
breached Clause 10 and the reporter provided notes of the quotes taken during
the conversation.
Relevant Clause Provisions
5. Clause 10 (Clandestine devices and subterfuge)*
i) The press must not seek to obtain or publish material
acquired by using hidden cameras or clandestine listening devices; or by
intercepting private or mobile telephone calls, messages or emails; or by the
unauthorised removal of documents or photographs; or by accessing
digitally-held information without consent.
ii) Engaging in misrepresentation or subterfuge, including
by agents or intermediaries, can generally be justified only in the public
interest and then only when the material cannot be obtained by other means.
Mediated Outcome
6. The complaint was not resolved through direct
correspondence between the parties. IPSO therefore began an investigation into
the matter.
7. The publication offered to delete the quotes that had
been supplied by the complainant as a gesture of goodwill.
8. The complainant said that this would resolve 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: 19/10/2019
Date complaint concluded by IPSO: 10/12/2019
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.
