Journalist Lowlife

[Dantruck]

Pope Gregory IX

Suggest you start by requesting from the organiser a list of the accredited journalists at the event. After that you might contact the historic and other specialist magazines/web sites not on the first list. Next I'd talk to the local newspapers in the family's area.

Approach the editor of each title by letter and follow-up with a phone call. Assuming everyone is straight with you, you will probably find the person involved.

Also, if you talk to the phone company it may be possible to track the originating phone number. You will have to put a very clear and concise case to the phone company as to why this information should be released to you. It will help if you appoint a legal representative to make this request. Try to narrow down the exact time, duration and date of the call before you start.

There are specific media guidelines on approaching relatives, though none of the laws in this area appear to have been broken. This lack of illegality will not help your request to the phone company, but it's worth a try.

Newswatcher - to answer your question, this is standard stuff to any well connected journalist who knows his subject material. Indeed, that fact may help narrow your search, Pope Gregory IX.

No timings are mentioned, but it is just possible the journalist believed relatives had already been informed. Confirmation of death is, generally speaking, information only available to journalists from close relatives.

Hope this helps

Condolences

Dan Coughlan


PS: Have since read up a little more on the circumstances. Would further suggest the Navy press office should be able to assist with the above. If not, there's nothing to stop you as an individual making such enquiries with a view to making a representation to the Press Complaints Commission (PPC) and/or the journalist's employer/commissioning editor.

Normal procedure should have seen the journalist first contact the duty press officer of the Navy or MoD. I would therefore also make enquiries of them to see if they were contacted and, if so, by whom?


PPS: The PCC can only deal with print media. If the journalist was working for a broadcast media, such as a radio station, you need to speak to the Broadcasting Standards Commission.

Point five of the PCC’s Code of Practice says:

Intrusion into grief or shock
"In cases involving personal grief or shock, enquiries must be carried out and approaches made with sympathy and discretion."

A too rapid approach might be considered to be in breach of the Code, especially if the Navy or the MoD were not contacted first.

Be aware complaints must usually be made within one month, and that you will need the written permission of the spouse in order to make a complaint on their behalf. Those indirectly connected cannot complain to the PCC.

Feel free to PM me if you have questions.