Adjudication No. 200 (August 1984) [1984] APC 23

ADJUDICATION No. 200 (August 1984)

By letter of April 18, 1984, Mr A. Jackson, of Kalapa, complains that most of his letters to the Rockhampton Morning Bulletin are being "doctored".

In support of this complaint he submits letters published in February 1983; August 1983; and February 1984.

The errors in the February 1983 letter did not change Mr Jackson's meaning, although undoubtedly annoying to him. They appear obvious typesetting errors.

The August 1983 letter omitted eight words from a paragraph which made it meaningless.

The February 1984 letter omitted two words which Mr Jackson claims changes the emphasis of his letter.

However, the newspaper published a lengthy reply from him claiming his letters were being "doctored" and correcting these omissions.

The Press Council is satisfied the only true complaint that can be made is against the standard of care taken in proof-reading letters to the editor by the newspaper. There is nothing to sustain a charge of "doctoring" and the complaint is dismissed.