Ruling

Resolution Statement 08877-19 Lynch v Metro.co.uk

  • Complaint Summary

    Adam Lynch complained to the Independent Press Standards Organisation that Metro.co.uk breached Clause 1 (Accuracy) of the Editors' Code of Practice in publishing article headlined “How to watch The Mandalorian in the UK" published on 12 November 2019.

    • Published date

      23rd January 2020

    • Outcome

      Resolved - IPSO mediation

    • Code provisions

      1 Accuracy


Summary of Complaint

1. Adam Lynch complained to the Independent Press Standards Organisation that Metro.co.uk breached Clause 1 (Accuracy) of the Editors' Code of Practice in publishing article headlined “How to watch The Mandalorian in the UK" published on 12 November 2019.

2. The complainant said that the article’s headline was not supported by the text as it implied that The Mandalorian (a TV show) could currently be watched in the UK. Instead, the text of the article states that UK viewers will have to wait until March 2020 to watch the show.

3. The publication did not accept that they had breached the Code. It stated that the headline did not imply that the show could currently be watched in the UK. Instead, the publication stated that the text clarified the headline and accurately detailed how to watch the show in the UK, albeit that this means waiting until March 2020.

Relevant Code Provisions

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

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

5. During IPSO’s investigation, as a gesture of goodwill, the newspaper offered to publish an amended headline which stated:

“Mandelorian set for UK release in March 2020 – here’s how to watch it”.

6. The complainant said that this would resolve the matter to his satisfaction.

7. 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: 12/11/2019

Date complaint concluded by IPSO: 14/01/2020