APPENDIX 107
Memorandum submitted by Group Captain
Peaker
I write to draw the attention of your Select
Committee to the unsatisfactory outcome of a complaint I made
to the Press Complaints Commission (PCC) about a news photograph
published by the Daily Express on 14 November 2001 that
had been significantly altered prior to publication. The story
is summarised in the attached images (not printed) and
letter that I subsequently wrote to my MP. It has particular relevance
now that we are at war with Iraq.
I have the complete correspondence on this topic
should you require it. As a favour, I told the PCC I was not personally
affected by the photograph, and my complaint was on a matter of
principle; the PCC said they could not address matters of principle.
Equally, the Daily Express at first denied making any changes
to the photo and only agreed to include the words "and altered"
in their clarification after four months of arguing. What hope
is there when the then Editor of the Daily Express is now
a member of the PCC?
20 March 2003
Annex
LETTER DATED 29 MAY 2002, FROM MR MIKE PEAKER
TO RICHARD PAGE MP
The Press Complaints Commission (PCC) are effectively
giving national newspapers carte blanche to mislead their readers
by allowing them, with only minor censure, to significantly and
materially alter news photographs pictures prior to their publication.
On 14 November 2001 The Times and the
Daily Express both published a picture of Northern Alliance
soldiers entering Kabul. The two pictures are attached (not
printed). You will see that the Express picture has
been computer enhanced by the addition of approximately 30 extra
currency notes fluttering in the air. I registered a complaint
with the PCC. The outcome of this complaint, even after I had
appealed to the PCC against their original decision, was that
they thought publication of the following written "clarification"
by the Daily Express would represent sufficient action
under the terms of the Code:
"We refer to a picture of Northern Alliance
tanks entering Kabul published on the front page on November 14
last year. We would like to make clear parts of the picture were
enhanced and altered due to the grainy texture of the picture
received at the Daily Express. The main part of the image
was unaffected but we apologise if any readers were confused."
This is both fallacious and inadequate.
I also wrote to the PCC Code of Practice Committee
suggesting that if this is how the Code is applied then it needs
modifying. I pointed out that the Code does not adequately address
the issue of pictorial inaccuracy. I suggested that the principle
of pictorial correction for pictorial breaches should be introduced.
They have concluded that no change is necessary.
I think it is quite appalling that the PCC will
not take a more robust line. They have completely ignored their
own Code of Practice, which states in its preamble:
"All members of the press have a duty to
maintain the highest professional and ethical standards. This
Code... upholds the public's right to know... It is essential
that it (the Code) be honoured not only to the letter but in the
full spirit".
In this instance, which has added significance
as a matter of principle rather than of individual redress, self
regulation has demonstrably failed.
Surely the public have a right to expect that
news pictures are accurate originals and not the result of the
artistic whims of the editor? This is especially the case with
photos from war zones where British troops are in combat. A single
image can have a significant effect on public opinion. It is a
very slippery slope when the media start creating their own news
photographs, something all too easy in these days of digital photography.
What can be done?
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