View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

  1. Archive content
July 24, 2003updated 22 Nov 2022 1:20pm

Dear Dr Deadline

By Press Gazette

Dear Dr Deadline,

I need help with this quickly. I’m a reporter on a national tabloid newspaper. For some time I’ve been working on a story involving the former fiance of an extremely well-known celebrity with which she has, until now, co-operated fully. For obvious reasons I can’t go into details, but I’ve spent a lot of time with her and gained her trust. Her story – and believe me, it’s a good one – is all in my notebook and on tape and is basically ready to go. The problem is this: she has suddenly got cold feet and decided that she doesn’t want to go ahead. She feels the exposure would put a great strain on both her and her child that she’s not sure they could handle – and the thing is, I agree with her. My bosses are, let’s say, somewhat unsympathetic to her misgivings and are telling me that as a journalist it’s my responsibility to make sure the story is told. The threat seems to be that if I don’t, I can forget about going any further with the paper. I feel in need of your soothing brand of wisdom.

Genuinely Bewildered

Dear GB,

The timing of your plea is remarkable. I write this on the day that Dr David Kelly, the MoD official who may have been the BBC’s source for its controversial story on a Government dossier about Iraq, has apparently killed himself. The speculation is that his appearance before a select committee, and the ensuing media frenzy, became too much for this shy man, with tragic consequences. It’s a horribly stark example, but it does demonstrate that the phrase “protecting your sources” has a much broader meaning than the one used casually and often by many journalists to keep the contents of their contacts book to themselves.

You could, of course, write and publish the story without legal qualms. But assuming you still have the tapes and notes, your bosses cannot – and should not – force you to publish. Ask careful questions of both sides: will they provide her with “after-story” support should she need it? Does she feel that she just needs more time before going public? Give her every chance to change her mind. If she doesn’t, and if you still feel that she would suffer over the story, then I believe your first duty is to her wellbeing.

Content from our partners
MHP Group's 30 To Watch awards for young journalists open for entries
How PA Media is helping newspapers make the digital transition
Publishing on the open web is broken, how generative AI could help fix it

Your bosses may even respect you for your decision. Stranger things have happened.

Got any questions for Doctor Deadline? Or do you disagree with his advice? E-mail him at doctordeadline@pressgazette.co.uk

Dr Deadline returns in two weeks

Next week: Cross Head

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

Select and enter your email address Weekly insight into the big strategic issues affecting the future of the news industry. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday. Your morning brew of news about the world of news from Press Gazette and elsewhere in the media. Sent at around 10am UK time. Our weekly does of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. A fortnightly update from the front-line of news and advertising. Aimed at marketers and those involved in the advertising industry.
  • Business owner/co-owner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CTO
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Exec Director
  • Other C-Suite
  • Managing Director
  • President/Partner
  • Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent
  • Director or equivalent
  • Group or Senior Manager
  • Head of Department/Function
  • Manager
  • Non-manager
  • Retired
  • Other
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
Thank you

Thanks for subscribing.

Websites in our network