175/2019 - Mr Bulelani Mfaco and The Irish Times

Decision of the Press Council

Mr Mfaco appealed the decision of the Press Ombudsman to the Press Council of Ireland on the basis that there had been an error in the Press Ombudsman’s application of Principle 8 of the Code of Practice.

At its meeting on 1 November 2019 the Press Council decided to uphold Mr Mfaco’s appeal on the basis that publication of the word complained about breached Principle 8 of the Code of Practice because it was likely to cause grave offence and that the context did not justify its use.