Oct
28
Jan Moir’s apology likely means that there will be no judgement about whether Jan Moir or the Daily Mail has broken the press code in her speculation about Stephen Gately’s death. Compliance with that code forms part of her contract of employment. But in the absence of a ruling from the PCC, she is neither exonerated nor held to account for her article.
If the PCC is an “independent self-regulator”, its job is to serve the public. If it is an ombudsman its role is just to deal with a complainant – but that may open calls for a new body to fill the gap. That’s why the PCC’s governance review is so important: it needs to be empowered to do the job of self-regulation, rather than just complaints resolution.
Oct
21
The Press Complaints Commission has indicated that it is investigating Jan Moir’s article about the death of Stephen Gately, after receiving more complaints in three days than the previous five years combined. So what will happen next? My prediction is that Jan Moir and the Daily Mail will escape any disciplinary action.
Apr
30
Over on the Media Standards Trust blog, I asked why the Advertising Standards Authority gets 463% more complaints than the Press Complaints Commission. I wanted to start a debate so I didn’t want to answer my own question. But the more I’ve thought about it, the more I’ve convinced myself of the following: 1. The [...]