Adjudication No. 473 (February 1991) [1991] APC 8

ADJUDICATION No. 473 (February 1991)

The Australian Press Council has dismissed a reader's complaint against the Melbourne Herald-Sun that it was indecent and callous in the way it mentioned that a long time had passed since Prime Minister Harold Holt died.

While confirming no breach of its principles has occurred the Australian Press Council recognises the reference complained of in a column article about the financial problems of the late Prime Minister's stepson could have offended some readers.

Mr Tom McHenry complained of this reference in the Herald-Sun Insider column: "Sam James Sydney Holt, son of the late Dame Zara Bate and stepson of the even later former Prime Minister Harold Holt, came off second best in a tussle down at the bankruptcy court the other day".

Mr McHenry complained that the paragraph "would be about as far down the track as indecency can go" and said the writer "apparently considers that because Mr Harold Holt predeceased his wife be becomes 'even later'."

"I feel that this is an extremely insensitive way of describing the situation and displays no regard whatsoever for the feelings of Mr Holt's descendants".

The newspaper categorically rejected the accusation and said there had been no complaint from Mr Sam Holt (or any member of the Holt family) about the reference.

That the former Prime Minister's name was mentioned at all was, the newspaper explained, because the complications of the family relationships and the fact that several members of the family were newsworthy for various reasons required clear idetification.

The Herald-Sun conceded the article was "vigorously worded, but that is the accepted style of this column and for this we make no apology".

The Press Council believes, in accordance with the principles of free speech and an unfettered press, that by-lined columns, like cartoons, are entitled to comment on the news and develop their own distinct styles.

The Herald-Sun's Insider is obviously such a column, written "vigorously" by the paper's own description or "in a smarty/trendy" style in the eyes of the complainant and most readers would see it for what it is.

The reference to Prime Minister Holt could have been expressed differently. But it was not unprincipled and the complaint is dismissed.