1704/2024 - SAOL Project and the Sunday Independent

Appeal to Press Council

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

At its meeting on 6 March 2024 the Press Council considered the appeal on the grounds relied upon and on the information, documentation and submissions made by both parties to the appeal. 

Press Council's  Decision

The Press Council found that on balance there was insufficient evidence:

• to show that the publication had failed to strive for truth and accuracy, in breach of Principle 1 of the Press Council’s Code of Practice;

• to show that the publication had conducted the interview and taken the photograph without regard to the woman’s capacity to give informed consent, and that consequently there was no evidence that subterfuge was used, in breach of Principle 3.2 of the Code; and

• to prove that the woman did not give her consent for the publication of the information about her and the photograph of her, in breach of Principle 5 of the Code.

For these reasons the Press Council upheld the appeal.