Adjudication No. 277 (April 1986) [1986] APC 13

ADJUDICATION No. 277 (April 1986)

Mr John E Jehu has complained to the Australian Press Council concerning the publication on the front page of the Brisbane Daily Sun on 18 September 1985 of the body of a murder victim slumped in the front yard of his home. The photograph occupies approximately two-thirds of the page and is under the banner headline "DAD SLAIN" with a sub-heading ,'Killers on run after shotgun outrage". On 19 and 20 September, the Sun published criticism of itself in parliament and from readers, and defended itself. In its reply to the Council the newspaper correctly states that the Council must consider whether the publication has breached two principles, that is whether the publication had due respect for private rights and sensibilities, and whether it was guilty or not of a lapse of taste so gross as to bring the freedom of the press into disrepute.

The newspaper replies that murder is a matter of prime public interest and the publication served the public interest because it brought home more forcefully than words the brutality, destructiveness and finality of murder - things usually only appreciated by those who actually see murder victims. The newspaper argues that there is no gross lapse of taste and pleads that photography is an important part of journalism. It cites the visual portrayal of violent death in the print media and on television.

Clearly the photograph would have caused distress to the family of the deceased. The publication of a detailed medical description of the state of the deceased would also have caused distress. The Council recommends the exercise of restraint in reporting violence in words and pictures, to avoid gross lapses of taste.

However, the Council does not consider that this incident fell into that category.

The complaint is dismissed.