How do I get an article removed?
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Hi. Please help. Any advice gratefully received....
I've tried to get an article about my husband's crime & sentencing removed from my local paper. After a long wait, I finally got a standard reply kind of response which didn't reply to my letter at all - the gist of it was "no, because that wouldn't be fair on others", quoting press laws etc. I was also told only my husband could apply for removal. He since has, by letter, by phone twice (spoken to journalist & editor in question) where response seemed like it may be favourable but then a "no" from legal team again. He has then e-mailed following having a couple of job offers withdrawn because employers found the article. We're getting nowhere but this is destroying our lives. Our 2 children are affected. My eldest is having panic attacks. My whole neighbourhood knows. My colleagues now know and I'm a teacher so if pupils & parents find out my job could be untenable. My husband can't get a job and we'll lose our house if that's not remedied soon.
I know I saw a lot of comments on here a while back about people successfully having articles removed but can't find them now. Where you one of them? How did you do it?
Thanks.
I've tried to get an article about my husband's crime & sentencing removed from my local paper. After a long wait, I finally got a standard reply kind of response which didn't reply to my letter at all - the gist of it was "no, because that wouldn't be fair on others", quoting press laws etc. I was also told only my husband could apply for removal. He since has, by letter, by phone twice (spoken to journalist & editor in question) where response seemed like it may be favourable but then a "no" from legal team again. He has then e-mailed following having a couple of job offers withdrawn because employers found the article. We're getting nowhere but this is destroying our lives. Our 2 children are affected. My eldest is having panic attacks. My whole neighbourhood knows. My colleagues now know and I'm a teacher so if pupils & parents find out my job could be untenable. My husband can't get a job and we'll lose our house if that's not remedied soon.
I know I saw a lot of comments on here a while back about people successfully having articles removed but can't find them now. Where you one of them? How did you do it?
Thanks.
hi there, I also tried this on behalf of my family member but journalist was not interested in noted how they only wrote of the charges and not only how they come about example being my family member was sent a link he wasn't searching or downloading images , they left that out of thr media report they had the image they wanted to to paint , I explained my family members young siblings had suffered enough and again they were not interested there was nothing for the safety of the family , he said he would remove the street address which was already too late as house had been attacked by local mpb of lunatics .. I contacted my local MP to see why this was allowed by the police, I quiet protest they called it , it was far from that local MP is looking into this 1 year later , I am sure I have read on here that you can apply to Internet browser such as Google to have the right to be forgotten? but I am sure that's only when convictions are spent .. I hope you get the answers your looking for x
Hi,
I had an article successfully removed from a couple of papers locally as they mentioned our daughter which does breach their code of conduct. Unfortunately it had already been picked up by other papers and a vigilante group so I haven't approached the ones remaining on Google for my safety.
The right to be forgotten is only applicable once the conviction is spent and this includes the time on sor.
I'm sorry that you're in this situation and this probably isn't the answer you were hoping for xxx
I had an article successfully removed from a couple of papers locally as they mentioned our daughter which does breach their code of conduct. Unfortunately it had already been picked up by other papers and a vigilante group so I haven't approached the ones remaining on Google for my safety.
The right to be forgotten is only applicable once the conviction is spent and this includes the time on sor.
I'm sorry that you're in this situation and this probably isn't the answer you were hoping for xxx
There is plenty of advice about getting searches removed from Google, on the Unlock website. Although it won't be easy, especially if the conviction is not spent.
The other things to try are changing your name, or flooding the internet with other information about the person, so that the story is buried, also known as reputation management.
The other things to try are changing your name, or flooding the internet with other information about the person, so that the story is buried, also known as reputation management.
Dear Forum Users,
We wanted to contribute to this discussion as we know some of you are deeply affected by media coverage involving your loved ones and are seeking ways to have these articles removed. We understand how distressing it can be to see a family member or friend’s offence and sentencing publicised in the media, and we recognise the significant impact this may have on your lives. While it's encouraging that some of you have successfully had articles about your loved one removed, we are saddened to hear that many of you continue to face challenges in doing so.
The ‘Right to be Forgotten’, outlined in Article 17 of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), gives individuals the right to request the removal of personal data. However, it's important to note that certain conditions must be met for these requests to be approved. If you are considering filing a request under this right, we suggest doing so through your internet search engine, as from our experience, many people have encountered difficulties when contacting the newspaper or website hosting the article directly, often due to the site's appeal to freedom of expression. Instead, you might find it helpful to explore other ways, such as by completing Google’s form for personal data to be removed, which you can find here.
We have found that individuals often have more success of exercising their right to be forgotten when their conviction is spent. In cases where the conviction is unspent, the consensus from websites and the media is often that the article serves public interest and concern, which can unfortunately make the process of having the articles removed more challenging. However, while it may difficult, it is not always impossible. You can find more information about the difference between spent and unspent convictions here.
You may also find it helpful to contact a solicitor specialising in data protection, or defamation and privacy, for legal advice and support in submitting your application.
If you would like more information about the ‘Right to be Forgotten’, you may find it helpful to visit some of these resources: GDPR website, NACRO and Unlock.
Kind regards,
The Forum Team
We wanted to contribute to this discussion as we know some of you are deeply affected by media coverage involving your loved ones and are seeking ways to have these articles removed. We understand how distressing it can be to see a family member or friend’s offence and sentencing publicised in the media, and we recognise the significant impact this may have on your lives. While it's encouraging that some of you have successfully had articles about your loved one removed, we are saddened to hear that many of you continue to face challenges in doing so.
The ‘Right to be Forgotten’, outlined in Article 17 of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), gives individuals the right to request the removal of personal data. However, it's important to note that certain conditions must be met for these requests to be approved. If you are considering filing a request under this right, we suggest doing so through your internet search engine, as from our experience, many people have encountered difficulties when contacting the newspaper or website hosting the article directly, often due to the site's appeal to freedom of expression. Instead, you might find it helpful to explore other ways, such as by completing Google’s form for personal data to be removed, which you can find here.
We have found that individuals often have more success of exercising their right to be forgotten when their conviction is spent. In cases where the conviction is unspent, the consensus from websites and the media is often that the article serves public interest and concern, which can unfortunately make the process of having the articles removed more challenging. However, while it may difficult, it is not always impossible. You can find more information about the difference between spent and unspent convictions here.
You may also find it helpful to contact a solicitor specialising in data protection, or defamation and privacy, for legal advice and support in submitting your application.
If you would like more information about the ‘Right to be Forgotten’, you may find it helpful to visit some of these resources: GDPR website, NACRO and Unlock.
Kind regards,
The Forum Team
Thank you for this. Please can you clarify: is the conviction spent at the end of the sentence or the end of the time on the register?
It depends on the length of the sentence and if they have an SHPO. The conviction will not be spent until the SHPO ends and as this is usually a lot longer than the sentence, it will be the most common problem you come across.
Dear ‘Where next?’,
Unfortunately, it's difficult to provide a precise answer without more information about your loved one’s specific situation. Several factors influence when a conviction is considered spent, including:
- The type of sentence (conviction or caution)
- The length of time on the Sex Offender Register (SOR)
- Whether a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) is in place
- The age of the person at the time of the offence (under or over 18)
- Whether they served a prison sentence
In general, sexual offences become ‘spent’ after a specified period of time under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (ROA) (known as the ‘rehabilitation period’). However, the rehabilitation period of a conviction can differ to the length of time someone is subject to notification requirements, such as being on the sex offender register (SOR) or being subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO). In some cases, this can mean that whilst a conviction is deemed ‘spent’ under the ROA, the individual may still be subject to notification requirements, which means that the conviction can’t be deemed ‘spent’ until the notification requirement has ended. Where someone has an indefinite notification requirement, then they will be subject to indefinite disclosure. However, if an individual is on the SOR indefinitely, then they can apply to the police to have it reviewed after 15 years (if they were an adult upon conviction), and if they have a SHPO that has been set indefinitely they should seek legal advice if they wish to appeal or vary it.
You can find more information about the ROA here as well as about ROA and sexual offences specifically here.
Each case is unique, and so to get a more accurate answer, we recommend that your loved one speak with their Police Offender Manager, or to contact their solicitor if they have one.
We apologise for not being able to provide a more specific response, but hope it goes some way in answering your question.
Kind regards,
The Forum Team
Unfortunately, it's difficult to provide a precise answer without more information about your loved one’s specific situation. Several factors influence when a conviction is considered spent, including:
- The type of sentence (conviction or caution)
- The length of time on the Sex Offender Register (SOR)
- Whether a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) is in place
- The age of the person at the time of the offence (under or over 18)
- Whether they served a prison sentence
In general, sexual offences become ‘spent’ after a specified period of time under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (ROA) (known as the ‘rehabilitation period’). However, the rehabilitation period of a conviction can differ to the length of time someone is subject to notification requirements, such as being on the sex offender register (SOR) or being subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO). In some cases, this can mean that whilst a conviction is deemed ‘spent’ under the ROA, the individual may still be subject to notification requirements, which means that the conviction can’t be deemed ‘spent’ until the notification requirement has ended. Where someone has an indefinite notification requirement, then they will be subject to indefinite disclosure. However, if an individual is on the SOR indefinitely, then they can apply to the police to have it reviewed after 15 years (if they were an adult upon conviction), and if they have a SHPO that has been set indefinitely they should seek legal advice if they wish to appeal or vary it.
You can find more information about the ROA here as well as about ROA and sexual offences specifically here.
Each case is unique, and so to get a more accurate answer, we recommend that your loved one speak with their Police Offender Manager, or to contact their solicitor if they have one.
We apologise for not being able to provide a more specific response, but hope it goes some way in answering your question.
Kind regards,
The Forum Team
Hello
Sorry this is late reply to the original question, I had an article removed from the local online paper. This was 8 years ago, i don't know if that would make a difference.
The court case was reported online in the local regional paper and picked up by the local paper that covered our small town. It was posted on facebook with comments made although noone said anything to me directly, however it as our town was small it was easy to identify us.
I appealed directly to the editor of the regional newspaper and emailed him explaining that it wasn't fair to post an article with identifiable details of our family as our children were young with one just starting at primary school. I had to write twice but the article was taken down, however there was an embedded link that showed up in other articles. As this was dead it disappeared after awhile but our town and his name was in the link which wasn't great.
I think it's always worth a try. You and your children haven't done anything wrong and it is disgusting that the media can leave us exposed in this way.
x
Sorry this is late reply to the original question, I had an article removed from the local online paper. This was 8 years ago, i don't know if that would make a difference.
The court case was reported online in the local regional paper and picked up by the local paper that covered our small town. It was posted on facebook with comments made although noone said anything to me directly, however it as our town was small it was easy to identify us.
I appealed directly to the editor of the regional newspaper and emailed him explaining that it wasn't fair to post an article with identifiable details of our family as our children were young with one just starting at primary school. I had to write twice but the article was taken down, however there was an embedded link that showed up in other articles. As this was dead it disappeared after awhile but our town and his name was in the link which wasn't great.
I think it's always worth a try. You and your children haven't done anything wrong and it is disgusting that the media can leave us exposed in this way.
x
I prepared to try anything successful or not. The offenders address at time of arrest is also MY address so it's MY personal details and it's not accurate as that's not where he is living now or will be living at sentencing. I can ask for that to be taken down as it's incorrect. Again i would apeal to them to ask whether the public interest is enough of a right to breach my protection from harm.....as there are real threats to mine and my child's safety by publishing the details. Even if you can get a retraction or something in the article that will identify the person as being separate from you or sway sympathy with you as a victim so they leave you alone it's worth a shot.
I'd certainly be interested in how you information bomb the internet to bury the details you don't want people to see by adding loads of other information/articles in anyone has links on how to do that.
I'd certainly be interested in how you information bomb the internet to bury the details you don't want people to see by adding loads of other information/articles in anyone has links on how to do that.