View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

  1. Archive content
December 14, 2006updated 22 Nov 2022 9:59pm

Inexperienced reporter gave too much detail on sex assault

By Press Gazette

The Press Complaints Commission has upheld a complaint against the Macclesfield Express for naming the victim of a sexual assault. The paper breached clause 11 (victims of sexual assault) of the code of practice when reporting a story about a member of office staff at the complainant’s workplace being convicted of touching her sexually. The terms of clause 11 state that newspapers must not publish material likely to contribute to the identification of victims of sexual assault. Her name, place of work and nature of employment were all reported by an inexperienced reporter, as well as sexually explicit details of the assault. The mistake was not picked up while being sub-edited. After the article was published the complainant’s family, friends and colleagues knew what had happened to her, including all the intimate details.

The Express’s editor immediately accepted his paper breached the code and offered an apology both through the PCC and privately to the complainant.

He also outlined the steps he would take to ensure such a mistake would not happen in the future.

Although the complainant was grateful for the steps taken, she wanted the case to proceed to adjudication.

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

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