A Man and the Irish Independent (1509)

Jul 12, 2023 | Appeals to the Press Council

COMPLAINT

The man complained that an article headlined “Most children ‘likely to have had Covid’ – with more than 3,500 hospitalised” breached Principle 1 (Truth and Accuracy) of the Code of Practice.

PRESS OMBUDSMAN’S DECISION

The Press Ombudsman decided not to uphold the complaint.

APPEAL TO PRESS COUNCIL OF IRELAND

The complainant appealed the Press Ombudsman’s decision to the Press Council of Ireland on the grounds there was an error in the Press Ombudsman’s application of the Principles of the Code of Practice.

The Press Council considered the appeal at its meeting on Wednesday, 12 July 2023.

The Press Council decided to reject the appeal on the basis that it agreed that the Press Ombudsman was entitled to find that the article was a fair and accurate news report. Furthermore, it decided that contrary to what the appellant stated in his appeal, the Press Ombudsman did not state or imply in her decision that the advisory body referred to in her decision “has the final say in the matter”.