The Northern Echo violated the Press Complaints Commission’s code of practice by publishing photo that invaded the subject’s privacy, the PCC wrote in a Feb. 15 report. The Northern Echo is a daily UK newspaper.
The photo was of a “man receiving treatment by the emergency services following the crash of his glider into a field.” The newspaper said the photo came from the “search and rescue team.”
His wife complained about the photo, which she said was ” taken without consent in the immediate aftermath of the accident when her husband was in shock. ”
According to the PCC’s report, the BBC also aired footage of “parts of the rescue” but the BBC had consent.
The PCC ruled that though the event may have been in the public interest, publication of the photo was insensitive.
Read the PCC’s full report and adjudication on the complaint here and here.