Advice on media lying
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I am wondering if anyone has been successful in getting lies removed from the media, either online or hard publications, am I wasting my time pursuing this? To be honest anything would be like a win at the moment but this has taught me to never believe anything I read, I was skeptical prior to this but I now avoid reading headlines altogether. They literally contradict themselves in their own article, draw people in with the false headline then maybe give glimpses of the truth but not to the detriment of the story. Sorry for rant but through this whole process it has been this that has hurt my family the most. My person and their young adult children, one of whom has diagnosed learning difficulties, are now absolutely petrified to leave their home, picture, persons name and street name all published locally and nationally in hard copy and online. I am mortified, I understand how so many celebrities have suffered at the hands of media intrusion into their personal lifes, this should not be allowed under any circumstances!
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Unfortunately I don't think there is anything you can do. Ours was the same, factual enough but not all true and portrayed in such an awful way. Fortunately it didn't include his photo but they did use our home address where he is no longer living and that has caused enough damage. I've had no comeback from it but he has been ignored by friends and lost his job.
Have either of you had backlash from the public at your front door ? I'm terrified of this happening I have a disabled daughter who would be terrified and go hysterical if something happened at our door she wouldn't understand what's happening, the police said our address it wouldn't be printed but reading on hear it seems they've lied I tried explaining to my mam but seemed skeptical when I told her saying they wouldn't tell us that as they deal with this all the time. She doesn't agree with me allowing supervised access so I've stopped discussing anything about it with her so I'm alone on this journey.
If they have posted false information which is damaging to your son's reputation (imagining it likely is). I would email and tell them you will pursue a case for defamation if they don't remove/redact the article. You could pursue a case against them with a solicitor but it would be expensive. If they have got it wrong or purposely told lies then perhaps the threat will be enough to get them to remove it.
It really does depend on the exact wording and how much of it is untrue. Whatever is completely untrue and harmful, specify this to the editor.
It really does depend on the exact wording and how much of it is untrue. Whatever is completely untrue and harmful, specify this to the editor.
If facts are wrong you can report them to the independent press standards. Facts need to be wrong not just the overall language or slant they took. I read someone on here was successful in getting some aspects of news reports changed by sighting the impact it was having on their child's health. I'll see if I can find the post.
I have emailed 2 editors to date and received no response. It was in the media after going to magistrates where it was adjourned and sent to Crown, then second time round after sentencing at crown which resulted in a community order and SOR, no SHPO. After magistrates the stories written by the media were so far fetched that I thought maybe my person hadn't told me everything and something was said in court that I wasn't aware of as I wasn't present to know exactly what was said by the prosecution. However I attended crown with my person (not my son btw) and it was exactly as they had told me. The media second time round is more factual mixed with sensationalism and a few lies thrown in just to sweeten it but the complete fabrication from the first coverage by the media is still there for all to view along with the absurd lies, I honestly don't know how or why they come up with the story that they did.
I am considering appealing the sentence as I do not believe we had a good solicitor, given bad advice, dismissed for concerns we had along the way, I think a plea of not guilty should of been made and not dismissed so freely but that is another story!
Just to clarify, my person has 2 young adult children who are completely innocent and victims by association, one of whom has learning disabilities. They live with my person and I am fearful for all their safety. There has been no threats at their door as yet but the comments from the articles have been threatening, on a lighter note there has been a handful of comments from people who have read the articles and criticised it saying this person has done nothing wrong so they have seen past the lies and focused on the facts of the case.
I am considering appealing the sentence as I do not believe we had a good solicitor, given bad advice, dismissed for concerns we had along the way, I think a plea of not guilty should of been made and not dismissed so freely but that is another story!
Just to clarify, my person has 2 young adult children who are completely innocent and victims by association, one of whom has learning disabilities. They live with my person and I am fearful for all their safety. There has been no threats at their door as yet but the comments from the articles have been threatening, on a lighter note there has been a handful of comments from people who have read the articles and criticised it saying this person has done nothing wrong so they have seen past the lies and focused on the facts of the case.
I know I can't elaborate on here too much as anyone can access this site but my person was charged with made and posession, all unsolicited, all deleted, in their cache and inaccessible to my person, Judge acknowledged no sexual interest in children .... a extract from one headline read 'admitted sharing indecent images of children on site' ....what site, there was no site???? Sharing, there was no sharing!! Admitted...they did not admit to anything of the kind.
This is just an example to get the right advice, is this slanted truth, fabrication or pure lies. I will fight it if it is the latter. Hope I haven't disclosed too much but it can't get any worse can it?
This is just an example to get the right advice, is this slanted truth, fabrication or pure lies. I will fight it if it is the latter. Hope I haven't disclosed too much but it can't get any worse can it?
Just want to add 'made' does not mean they took a picture of a child, it is so misleading, it means a link was clicked on or a received picture had be clicked to unscramble it as quite happens on fb msgr.
Unfortunately I don't think so I had many arguments over the phone and email with editor of our local rag, kept saying they have a right and the pubic do aswell, I went on to say well the police have already published for the public why do they have to aswell as going in to detail how damaging their articul is on innocent young children but it got me no where.
sorry this has happened but it's over quick and life moves on and no one has had any bother. X
Cherry we haven't had no backlash whatsoever, the worst is probably people pitying you. The thought of it happening is worse that when it happens in my experience.
sorry this has happened but it's over quick and life moves on and no one has had any bother. X
Cherry we haven't had no backlash whatsoever, the worst is probably people pitying you. The thought of it happening is worse that when it happens in my experience.
I am so sorry Brokensoul
The media should not be allowed to distort the facts
My sons case was reported horrifically, dont get me wrong what he did was wrong but the way they printed was and is horrendous
But it was old news shortly after It was shared and the comments were horrific (I made the mistake of reading them) but we have had no repercussions what so ever xx
The media should not be allowed to distort the facts
My sons case was reported horrifically, dont get me wrong what he did was wrong but the way they printed was and is horrendous
But it was old news shortly after It was shared and the comments were horrific (I made the mistake of reading them) but we have had no repercussions what so ever xx
Hi, sorry to hear you've had a rough time.
Speaking as both someone who's been through this journey with my partner and come out the other side, and as a working journalist who has reported on this crime previously, maybe I can offer some advice.
If a piece is factually wrong then you can ask for updates. You can also try and ask an editor to remove an address but they legally have to put one eg. John Smith, Greenfields Drive.
And they'll usually put somewhere the age. These are all because as journalists we can't be vague in case there were two John Smiths living in that area or on that street. We aren't allowed to put 33 Greenfields Drive but we give full name, age and street name. If you're asking for an address to be removed (eg. You and your children live there, but your partner doesn't) then you'll have to offer another address.
Also in reference to the changing the word 'made' for IIOC, I think you'd be hard pushed for getting that removed as it's the legal wording rather than the journalist's choosing to use it. I fully appreciate there is a difference and in no way does it mean our loved ones went out and made the IIOC but as it's the legal wording/charges, the journalist technically doesn't have to clarify it.
Journalists and local news will be acting in the public interest and unfortunately some of that is reporting what is happening in local courts in order to show that the legal system works. Having been on the other side of it now to support my partner, I know how frustrating this can be.
My advice for getting changes would be to email the editor and explain the impact, and if there's any way of changing the piece as some things aren't factually correct and then you can clarify them. Equally you can share the impact on your and children.etc, but this is never guaranteed.
As a journalist I have always firmly stayed away from using the P word or sensationalising a headline with similar, but I obviously can't speak for all of those in my profession but I do apologise for the fact that some do. Typically if it's been said out loud in court, many reporters will use it as it's a quote but that still doesn't lessen it imo.
Lastly, it's not helpful when you're going through it but news is very quickly forgotten and for local reporters at court, there are at least two stories per day so it will be quickly pushed down and forgotten about. Again I appreciate it doesn't always feel like that at the time.
Speaking as both someone who's been through this journey with my partner and come out the other side, and as a working journalist who has reported on this crime previously, maybe I can offer some advice.
If a piece is factually wrong then you can ask for updates. You can also try and ask an editor to remove an address but they legally have to put one eg. John Smith, Greenfields Drive.
And they'll usually put somewhere the age. These are all because as journalists we can't be vague in case there were two John Smiths living in that area or on that street. We aren't allowed to put 33 Greenfields Drive but we give full name, age and street name. If you're asking for an address to be removed (eg. You and your children live there, but your partner doesn't) then you'll have to offer another address.
Also in reference to the changing the word 'made' for IIOC, I think you'd be hard pushed for getting that removed as it's the legal wording rather than the journalist's choosing to use it. I fully appreciate there is a difference and in no way does it mean our loved ones went out and made the IIOC but as it's the legal wording/charges, the journalist technically doesn't have to clarify it.
Journalists and local news will be acting in the public interest and unfortunately some of that is reporting what is happening in local courts in order to show that the legal system works. Having been on the other side of it now to support my partner, I know how frustrating this can be.
My advice for getting changes would be to email the editor and explain the impact, and if there's any way of changing the piece as some things aren't factually correct and then you can clarify them. Equally you can share the impact on your and children.etc, but this is never guaranteed.
As a journalist I have always firmly stayed away from using the P word or sensationalising a headline with similar, but I obviously can't speak for all of those in my profession but I do apologise for the fact that some do. Typically if it's been said out loud in court, many reporters will use it as it's a quote but that still doesn't lessen it imo.
Lastly, it's not helpful when you're going through it but news is very quickly forgotten and for local reporters at court, there are at least two stories per day so it will be quickly pushed down and forgotten about. Again I appreciate it doesn't always feel like that at the time.
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Hi SoTired,
I'm a reporter and if we don't attend court then we are usually sent an overview from the courts themselves, but I will say they come through with literally EVERYTHING at that court that day so it sounds like someone hasn't gone through it thoroughly enough.
You obviously have the choice of flagging the inaccuracies to the journalist and paper themselves. They'd be unlikely to run a fresh article but may well do a correction on the paper or update online (this doesn't mean it goes to the top of the website), but as you say it would identify them more so you may wish to ignore it.
Sorry you've had this experience x
I'm a reporter and if we don't attend court then we are usually sent an overview from the courts themselves, but I will say they come through with literally EVERYTHING at that court that day so it sounds like someone hasn't gone through it thoroughly enough.
You obviously have the choice of flagging the inaccuracies to the journalist and paper themselves. They'd be unlikely to run a fresh article but may well do a correction on the paper or update online (this doesn't mean it goes to the top of the website), but as you say it would identify them more so you may wish to ignore it.
Sorry you've had this experience x
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Thank you so much for replies. I'm so sorry but I cannot agree with the press having the right to print name, age and street name for any person in this position, I am in fear every day for my family, they are absolutely petrified to leave the house, I feel like we have reverted back to the dark ages. Some of the comments have been terrifying, threatening and coercing the general public in the area to 'sort them out'! I have to point out my person's charges were made and posession, all facts in court were images unsolicited, all deleted, on cache of device and inaccessible to my person. Judge quoted in court, no sexual interest in children, local paper did acknowledge this comment from judge in article however this was omitted in every other article. My person is guilty of not acting accordingly when images were sent to them, should of reported to police instead of thinking deleting them was sufficient.
My person has severe mental health problems and solicitor advised plead guilty as did not believe they would be mentally strong enough to endure a trial.
So as much as I'd love to say I understand the viewpoint from a journalist, being truthful I really don't. Yes, some facts were printed but the headlines were a mix of fabrication and utter lies. I have written to 3 editors to date stating the facts and asking for a retraction of the lies printed online and I am still awaiting reply 3 weeks later. To be honest I am so exhausted with the whole thing I am barely holding it together.
I apologise sincerely for my harsh point of view but associated family members living with my person are completely innocent, they are now prisoners in their own home, there is just no protection for the family and this breaks my heart, they are victims too and I blame the press for this, sorry but my soul is genuinely broken ????
My person has severe mental health problems and solicitor advised plead guilty as did not believe they would be mentally strong enough to endure a trial.
So as much as I'd love to say I understand the viewpoint from a journalist, being truthful I really don't. Yes, some facts were printed but the headlines were a mix of fabrication and utter lies. I have written to 3 editors to date stating the facts and asking for a retraction of the lies printed online and I am still awaiting reply 3 weeks later. To be honest I am so exhausted with the whole thing I am barely holding it together.
I apologise sincerely for my harsh point of view but associated family members living with my person are completely innocent, they are now prisoners in their own home, there is just no protection for the family and this breaks my heart, they are victims too and I blame the press for this, sorry but my soul is genuinely broken ????
I do agree Brokensole - this whole experience has left me with a bitter taste against the media and police.
Our name + address was printed and reported on local radio news - I was mortified and terrified - even now I remain cautious, every time I walk out my door or there's an unexpected knock on door - in a home I lived in for 40 years! We shouldn't live with such unease as we go about our law abiding life.
We live in a fabulous community and had no backlash whatsoever (thank god) but this coverage can cause serious vilgalantee problems, as so many on here have shared. It's not right to put so many other innocent (including children) people at risk.
Our name + address was printed and reported on local radio news - I was mortified and terrified - even now I remain cautious, every time I walk out my door or there's an unexpected knock on door - in a home I lived in for 40 years! We shouldn't live with such unease as we go about our law abiding life.
We live in a fabulous community and had no backlash whatsoever (thank god) but this coverage can cause serious vilgalantee problems, as so many on here have shared. It's not right to put so many other innocent (including children) people at risk.
Brokensoul, I completely agree with you.. the name age and address should not be printed with this sort of crime. It is such a taboo subject and really puts the person and their family at high risk. I am absolutely petrified for my son being put in the media and we are clearing our house incase we have to move because of the utter fear we have for our son us and our younger son (10) the fear of the media is worse than the fear of punishment xx
Thank you for your understanding and so sorry other families feel this way, that makes me sad knowing other people are experiencing this. The media has been by far the harshest punishment of all, the police, courts, judge give their ruling on the crime, which is fair, we do not expect these crimes to go unpunished but that should be end of the journey for the families of the person, they should be allowed to start to rebuild the lives that have been totally destroyed by their persons actions, instead the families now have the added fear of vigilantes trying to inflict their version of the law on a completely innocent family. Why is there no protection for us, it feels completely unjust!?
Why do high profile child murderers who have committed the most horrific crimes imaginable get the protection of the police and complete new identities when released from prison yet our persons and their families receive no protection whatsoever, by printing name and address they invite people to take law into their own hands. This world we live in is just crazy, my heart goes out to all families of offenders no matter what the crime as the family, in the end, pays the biggest price of all, sending biggest love to you all, this is a amazing group of strong people, let's keep each other going xx
Why do high profile child murderers who have committed the most horrific crimes imaginable get the protection of the police and complete new identities when released from prison yet our persons and their families receive no protection whatsoever, by printing name and address they invite people to take law into their own hands. This world we live in is just crazy, my heart goes out to all families of offenders no matter what the crime as the family, in the end, pays the biggest price of all, sending biggest love to you all, this is a amazing group of strong people, let's keep each other going xx
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I'm so sorry SoTired. I'm glad your boss was understanding and you've been able to take a break from work. We've been through similar, there was a particular sentence in the media report which was a very distorted version of the truth and it's not even about his offences but it's so awful and loads of people we know have seen the article and have taken it at face value. I don't get why people believe everything they read.