Media Release (APC Update No 48) [2014] AUPressClUpdate 24; (2014) Australian Press Council Update 48

• Coverage of the Sydney hostage incident

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Media Release | 16 December 2014

Coverage of the Sydney hostage incident

The Chair of the Press Council, Prof Julian Disney, has urged media to be accurate and responsible in their coverage of the Martin Place incident.

Prof Disney said: "Much of the coverage has been excellent and has not hesitated to tell painful truths when necessary. But there have been some deeply regrettable errors and exaggerations, spreading dangerous misinformation without any reasonable basis. This type of material can be a serious risk to public safety, as well as causing an unjustified level of fear and distrust across the community.”