Complaint
On 12 January 2008 the Irish Daily Star published an article headlined “Cocaine behind third of all drug deaths”, illustrated by a photograph of Katy French, captioned “TRAGIC: Irish model Katy French took cocaine.” Ms French’s mother, Mrs Janet French, complained that this was a breach of Principle 4 (Respect for Rights) and Principle 5.3 (Privacy) of the Code of Practice for Newspapers and Periodicals. The newspaper responded that in its opinion the matter complained of did not involve any breach of the Code of Practice, and pointed out that Ms French had previously admitted in public to having taken cocaine.
Decision
The article was based on a report by the Dublin City Coroner published the previous day. While it is understandable that the publication of their late daughter’s photograph in the context of the article was unwelcome to family members, the use of Ms French’s photograph to illustrate the article did not involve the knowing publication “of matter based on malicious misrepresentation or unfounded accusations”, as provided for in Principle 4. The description of Ms French’s death in the caption as “tragic” is an expression of the newspaper’s own view, and the remainder of the caption is based on factual information, volunteered by Ms French in a newspaper interview before her death.
The article in question therefore did not breach either Principle 4 or Principle 5.3 of the Code of Practice.
