Goodman and The Irish Times

Oct 14, 2011 | Decisions on referral to the Press Council

The Press Council decided not to uphold a complaint referred to it by the Press Ombudsman that an article by Fintan O’Toole which appeared in The Irish Times of 10 May 2011 breached principle 1.2 (Truth and Accuracy) and 3.1 (Fairness and Honesty) of the Code of Practice for Newspapers and Magazines.

Decision

In relation to principle 1.2 (Truth and Accuracy) the Council decided that the publication of the article was justified based on the right of the press to comment on what it considers to be news, without fear or favour as set out in the Preamble to the Code of Practice for Newspapers and Magazines.

In relation to principle 3.1 (Fairness and Honesty), the Council decided that there was no misrepresentation, subterfuge, or harassment in the procuring and publishing of the material contained in the article.