Dunblane apology from Sunday Express
Not on the front page of the website, obviously, but here it is:
THE Scottish Sunday Express has enjoyed a long love affair with the people of our nation.
It is 81 years since the first edition of this great newspaper rolled off the presses in Glasgow.
Over that time, we have established a reputation for crusading journalism built on the twin cornerstones of honesty and integrity.
Scottish Sunday Express readers expect us to shine a light on the wrongs in our society, to expose the crooks, highlight the hypocrites and to give everyone the odd chuckle with the extraordinary stories that ordinary Scots so often have to tell.
We think we are pretty good at all that, and everyone involved in producing this newspaper takes pride in what we publish.
It is also hugely important to us that the Scottish Sunday Express reflects the feelings of the people of Scotland.
On March 8 we got that all wrong.
Our front-page story about the teenage survivors of the Dunblane massacre and their use of social networking websites has caused terrible offence, not only in that town, but across Scotland and around the world.
It is our belief that nobody was misquoted, but the story was undeniably inappropriate. It has upset the young people we named and caused great distress to their parents.
Where possible, we have spoken to the families involved and given them a heartfelt apology. Today we apologise to you, our loyal readers.
The Scottish Sunday Express is a big newspaper, with a long and illustrious history. We are also big enough to say we are truly sorry.
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March 22nd, 2009 - 02:20
Did anyone else spot the banner at the bottom of the page which says, “Have Your Say is unavailable for this story”?
Says it all really, doesn’t it?
March 22nd, 2009 - 16:01
Spends 80% of the “apology” flattering themselves and telling the people of Scotland how much they love the paper and points out the quotes were accurate – a completely strawman argument, as _noone_ ever mentioned the quotes were inaccurate or the complaints had anything to do with that. Also, no mention of any kind of action to be taken against Paula Murray, the journalist in question.
Not good enough.
P.
March 23rd, 2009 - 13:37
A total non-apology over two paragraphs, hidden in a puff piece for the integrity of the Scottish Sunday Express.
“It is our belief that nobody was misquoted”.
Ummm what about the MSP who was asked for a quote on an unrelated subject and then had it placed in the article as a direct attack on the victims?
“It has upset the young people we named and caused great distress to their parents.”
Yep, I can imagine that the parents were absolutely devastated by the “don’t you think Hamilton got the wrong ones…” tone of the article. I hope they get a no-win no-fee lawyer and hit them in the pocket as it’s the only language they understand.
“Where possible, we have spoken to the families involved”
. Seriously though, that indicates that they haven’t apologised to at least one of the two kids involved.
But when they didn’t pick up the phone after three rings we gave up
Scum, utter utter vile scum.