UK: Express newspapers pay fines and publish front-page apologies to McCanns
Posted by Carolyn Lo on March 20, 2008 at 9:53 AM
Yesterday, the Express newspapers were forced to pay £550,000 in damages and issue front-page apologies after they published more than 100 articles claiming that Kate and Gerry McCann were responsible for their missing daughter Madeleine's death.
According to Press Complaints Commission director Tim Toulmin, this case "reignites debate about press regulation," though it is wrong to try to draw broader conclusions from a "unique" case.
It was implicit at the Express newsrooms that there would be a front-page story about Madeleine, whether or not there were any developments. A journalist said the editorial decisions were "all driven by marketing" and "to suggest there was no Maddy story would be seen as absolute heresy ... the editor didn't have to say it to the news editor and the news editor didn't have to say it to the reporter."
Guardian media correspondent Owen Gibson wrote that market research conducted last summer had shown that there was an "insatiable desire for such stories."
But there are "wider implications for all media," said Jeremy Hunt, the shadow culture secretary. "The broader lesson is that if you put journalists under incredible pressure to deliver a certain kind of story, you risk this kind of outcome. That is highly damaging not only for that newspaper but for the whole industry."
Source: Guardian.co.uk
According to Press Complaints Commission director Tim Toulmin, this case "reignites debate about press regulation," though it is wrong to try to draw broader conclusions from a "unique" case.
It was implicit at the Express newsrooms that there would be a front-page story about Madeleine, whether or not there were any developments. A journalist said the editorial decisions were "all driven by marketing" and "to suggest there was no Maddy story would be seen as absolute heresy ... the editor didn't have to say it to the news editor and the news editor didn't have to say it to the reporter."
Guardian media correspondent Owen Gibson wrote that market research conducted last summer had shown that there was an "insatiable desire for such stories."
But there are "wider implications for all media," said Jeremy Hunt, the shadow culture secretary. "The broader lesson is that if you put journalists under incredible pressure to deliver a certain kind of story, you risk this kind of outcome. That is highly damaging not only for that newspaper but for the whole industry."
Source: Guardian.co.uk
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It is a widely known fact that in cases of crimes such as murder or abuse and where a child is involved traditionally 60% of the cases are resolved by close examination of the relationships of close relatives or indeed the parents of the child.
The Mccanns have ignited a flame and in doing so must expect to bear full responsibility and be prepared to be fully accountable for their actions.