Adjudication No. 563 (May 1992) [1992] APC 33

ADJUDICATION No. 563 (May 1992)

The Australian Press Council has upheld in part a complaint against the Whyalla News because of its treatment of two deaths [Dhatch] the suicide of a young man and the murder of a young woman.

A front page report in the 15 November 1991 edition included a large photograph of police standing next to the young man's body, and an account of known facts, and theories, surrounding both deaths. His mother, Mrs Gillian Barratt, complained that she and her family were "very distressed and upset with the picture and the story."

The story also referred to the fact that he had disappeared on the same night that nurse Cheryl Allen was murdered.

While stating "police have not determined whether Mr Stackhouse was involved in the murder" the newspaper's report immediately went on to quote a police source as saying forensic tests were still being carried out "and it was hoped that the results would be 'positive' and that the police could 'tie it all together'".

While the newspaper is literally correct in arguing that "it never claimed of its own accord that the two cases were connected", the way the story was edited and the page presented, especially the quotations describing the police hopes of establishing a connection, risked giving readers the impression that a strong link was there and about to be proved.

A more careful treatment of the two stories, in which the local public were unquestionably interested, would have achieved greater fairness and balance. To this extent the complaint is upheld.

In reporting crimes and tragedies newspapers must take great care not to give the impression that mere suspicion of criminal guilt is more than just that.

The newspaper acknowledge receiving numerous letters and phone calls complaining about the coverage, and an equal number supporting it. Had the paper swiftly published a selection, or even one, of the critical letters, some balance would have been achieved.

Although the complaint involved overall coverage of the two stories, it centred on the photograph which showed Mr Stackhouse's body.

The man's mother and many readers of the paper were understandably upset by the photograph.

There is argument about whether or not it was published with "police permission". The Press Council observes, however, that it is not the responsibility of the police or other public authorities to dictate the use in newspapers of material which is not their property.

While understanding the grief of relatives involved, the Press Council dismisses this part of the complaint. Such a publication is largely a matter of taste which is up to the editor to decide.