Don't just read the paper, look at the website too

Newspaper websites carry significantly more material that the actual papers, including audio and visual content. The PCC last year extended its remit to cover audio-visual material on newspaper and magazine websites. A recent decision of the PCC illustrates just how important it is to consider your rights in relation to what is published on the web pages as well as in the paper itself.

The story concerned a man with convictions relating to pornographic images of children. He had been employed by a supermarket to make deliveries to a nursery school kitchen. While there was nothing wrong with the article itself, the paper's website included undercover filming showing the man working in the supermarket. The PCC held that this was in breach of the Code because clandestine recording devices and subterfuge "can generally be justified only in the public interest and then only when the material cannot be obtained by other means". The PCC decided that there was insufficient justification for the use of secret filming simply showing the man at work in the supermarket.

Although the decision would seem to be of no relevance to any law abiding citizen or corporation, it does act as a timely reminder when caught up in a media issue to check out the web content as well as the publication itself. The same applies to broadcasters who are now in the habit of publishing additional material on their websites which may not have been subjected to the same level of editorial control as the programme itself.

This article was written for Law-Now, CMS Cameron McKenna's free online information service. To register for Law-Now, please go to www.law-now.com/law-now/mondaq

Law-Now information is for general purposes and guidance only. The information and opinions expressed in all Law-Now articles are not necessarily comprehensive and do not purport to give professional or legal advice. All Law-Now information relates to circumstances prevailing at the date of its original publication and may not have been updated to reflect subsequent developments.

The original publication date for this article was 15/09/2008.