Case number:
03-21
Case text (Anonymised):
A journal published a highly critical obituary, which provoked uproar and prompted the deceased’s family to complain to the national body responsible for regulating the media. The journal believed that the basis of the criticisms were accurate and acknowledged that it had not cited sufficient evidence in the obituary. The journal was considering whether to publish the evidence in full. The journal used journalists to write the main obituaries and considers it important to publish all aspects of a person’s character.
Advice:
A critical obituary is permissible so long as it is accurate and does not deliberately set out to upset the deceased’s friends and family.
Follow up:
None required.
Year:
Core practices: