Recently had to tackle media coverage that intruded on the grief of friends. While I hope none of you are ever in a similar position, the resources and strategy we used to protect the family's privacy may be helpful. Thread about how to complain about intrusion incoming. 1/?.
Firstly, what are you complaining about? How was coverage intrusive? What did the breach of privacy consist of? Be specific, give examples. If publication is online, screenshot it. If it’s print, take a photo. Check publication’s social media feeds. Screenshot any tweets etc. 2/x
Next, could there be a breach of code of conduct?
NUJ: nuj.org.uk/about/nuj-code/;
IPSO: ipso.co.uk/editors-code-o…;
IMPRESS: impress.press/stand…/impress-standards-code.html ;
Press Council of Ireland: presscouncil.ie/code-of-practi…
3/x
NUJ: nuj.org.uk/about/nuj-code/;
IPSO: ipso.co.uk/editors-code-o…;
IMPRESS: impress.press/stand…/impress-standards-code.html ;
Press Council of Ireland: presscouncil.ie/code-of-practi…
3/x
Accountable Journalism has a database of global codes of conduct, should publication be outwith the UK and Ireland: accountablejournalism.org/ethics-codes 4/x
Note the relevant clauses or sub-sections of the code/s of conduct that were potentially breached by publication of the story or image. 5/x
Call the outlet(s) to point out the intrusion and complain. Contact numbers can be found on a publication’s website. It’s better to call the newsroom than a switchboard number. 6/x
If you’re speaking to a junior member of staff, ask to be put through to someone senior. Explain why you are calling, and what you wish to lodge a complaint about. Cite the potential breach of relevant sections in applicable code/s of conduct. 7/x
Throughout your call be firm, but polite. If you want a pic removed, say so, and say why. If your complaint focuses on copy, state what is incorrect/intrusive, request prompt correction or removal. Also ask that any publication via social media be removed. Again, be polite. 8/x
If a story has been online for a considerable period of time, ask that it be removed from online indexing. You can also request a public apology. 9/x
Follow up your phone call with an email. Copy the relevant professional body/ies into your email. Include any screenshots or photos of the offending story. If you released a statement requesting privacy, include this too. 10/x
As before, be firm, but polite. State clearly what you are complaining about, the impact publication has had (eg intrusion; compounding distress etc) and which clauses of the relevant code of conduct/s publication may contravene. 11/x
If there is no public interest served by the story, say so. This is especially important if you or the person on whose behalf you are complaining is not a public figure. Point out that publication should be in the public interest, not of public interest. 12/x
Again, request correction/removal from site and social media channels. If publication was print only, request a public apology for the intrusion and/or use of images. Include your name and a contact phone number. 13/x
If prompt action is not taken, call and email again. Remain polite but point out the longer the story or image is publicly available, the greater the intrusion and distress it causes. cc in the publication's editor, managing editor, group editor or editor-in-chief. 14/x
Keep an eye on news aggregators. These sites often scrape stories from elsewhere and republish. If they’ve republished the offending story/image, contact them as well and request immediate removal from their site and social media feeds. 15/x
GDPR may also be helpful. The regulation provides a freedom of expression exemption to journalists for the processing of personal information, but this is subject to a public interest test. 16/x
The right to freedom of expression is normally interpreted broadly, but it is unlikely that coverage that intrudes into an individual's privacy could possibly survive a public interest test (unless you are a mafia kingpin, money launderer or the like). 17/x
So, if a complaint were made to the Information Commissioner's Office (UK) or the Data Protection Commission (Ireland), they'd have to decide whether the processing of personal information in this case could benefit from the freedom of expression exemption.18/x
If IPO or DPC found no grounds for benefit of the exemption, it is possible the organisation could face a substantial fine. 19/x
Or it could refer the question to the courts for determination. It is likely neither IPO nor DPC would want to handle such complaints or the hassle of going to the law. That said, GDPR does offer a potential remedy. Intrusion into privacy is covered: ico.org.uk/media/for-orga… 20/x
That's it. Good luck. I hope you never need to do this. 21/21
