Hacked Off would never exploit a tragedy to launch an opportunistic PR campaign to promote themselves in the media, would they? Arriving in journalists’ inboxes this morning came a headline-grabbing Hacked Off press release demanding the chair of IPSO, the new press regulator, condemn “breaches” of the PCC Editor’s Code over the Robin Williams story today. Hacked Off director Joan Smith spent the day offering herself for comment. Don’t all rush at once…
Incidentally, whatever you think of the coverage, it doesn’t even appear that the front pages did breach the Editor’s Code. Media law consultant David Banks explains:
To be clear re papers and Robin Williams, to report that he hanged himself would not, according to PCC Code, be excessive detail…
— David Banks (@DBanksy) August 12, 2014
…Excessive detais is usually the type of ligature used, number and type of pills taken etc. US coroner has made very public statement
— David Banks (@DBanksy) August 12, 2014
…matters of taste, or lack of it, are at the editor's discretion, and not a matter for ethical codes, or #Leveson…so…
— David Banks (@DBanksy) August 12, 2014
Another great Hacked Off success…
