APPENDIX 113
Memorandum submitted by Mr Nigel Vessey
I write after referral to your interest, which
the Presswise Trust told me of (copy letter enclosed [not printed]).
My story, although given freely to the local
newspaper (Grimsby Telegraph) and published on 10 June
2000 (copy enclosed) [not printed].
I was misled into getting myself photographed
and was told a follow-up story would "be a feature"
at a later date.
I was told they were not interested when I pressed
them to fulfil their commitment to a feature.
They would seem only interested in showing a
weird side of mental illness rather than giving the matter a factual
enlightenment that other ordinary stories got. I felt this control
of my story was unfair—I was waiting for the feature and
time ran out for any complaint I could have made to the PCC.
I would also suggest the newspaper had me at
a disadvantage—given they did not enquire into the care
package I should be allowed under the so-called National Assistance
Act which could have been newsworthy.
The "bad press" always suggests that
the schizophrenic is mad, bad and a possible offender—rather
than a service user, who had a life—a life in this case
not looked at, as the promised feature was not forthcoming.
18 February 2003
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