A simple guide on how to request a retraction or correction in the media
Mistakes differ and sometimes, in the newsroom, the printer devil sneaks in and a mistake is published in the paper or online.
POLOKWANE – Mistakes happen more often than we like and sometimes these mistakes can put us in an impossible position.
Mistakes differ and sometimes, in the newsroom, the printer devil sneaks in and a mistake is published in the paper or online. Sometimes the smallest of mistakes can have huge consequences and readers may need to inform the publication or even the ombudsman.
So what do when you have a complaint?
1. Contact the paper’s editor via email (editor@nmgroup.co.za) with the complaint. In most case the editor of the publication will assist you as reader and it will not be necessary to take further steps.
2. If the problem is not sorted out, and you believe that the publication has not lived up to the Code of Ethics and Conduct for South African Print and Online Media, you may lodge a complaint by letter, fax, SMS, e-mail or online with the Press Council’s Public Advocate within 20 working days of the publication of the relevant story. The Public Advocate’s office will also assist those who require help to put their complaint in writing.
You have to state the name and date of the publication and the reasons you believe it was out of line. Attaching a copy of the article that gave rise to the complaint would speed up the process.
3. Take note that the Public Advocate will not accept a complaint:
• Which is anonymous,
• Which, in his or her opinion, is fraudulent, frivolous, malicious or vexatious and which prima facie falls outside the ambit of the Press Code,
• Which is directed at a newspaper outside his or her jurisdiction.
4. The Public Advocate will negotiate with the publication on behalf of you to attempt a speedy and amicable settlement.
5. If no resolution is achieved within 15 working days of the publication receiving notice of the complaint, the Public Advocate will refer the matter to the Ombud for adjudication.
6. The Ombudsman may hold an informal hearing between the parties. Where the Ombud decides to hold a formal hearing, he or she shall convene an Adjudication Panel in which the Ombud is joined by a public and a press member drawn from the Panel of Adjudicators, to adjudicate the matter with him or her at a hearing. Decisions will be by majority vote.
7. If either party is not satisfied with the decision, it may take the matter on appeal to the chairperson of the Press Appeals Panel, Judge Bernard Ngoepe. The judge also hears the appeal with a public representative and up to three public representatives from the Panel of Adjudicators.
8. If either party is not satisfied with the decisions of the Chair of Appeals, it may ask the courts to review it.
