This Tweet is visible here.
sent by @mulberrybush
just sent a complaint to @UKPCC regarding the Daily Telegraph’s use of “fishing techniques” to obtain quotes from MPs, using undercover reporters posing as constituents.
If anyone else wants to do so, the complaints form is here.http://www.pcc.org.uk/complaints/makingacomplaint.html
Here is a copy of what I said.
I am writing to raise my concerns about the methods being employed by the Daily Telegraph to obtain stories regarding the opinions of MPs.
As the stories of 21st and 22nd December have shown the Telegraph has used undercover reporters masquerading as constituents in order to fish for embarrassing quotes for an unspecified number of MPs.
This appears to me to be a clear breach of the Editors code. 10, i)ⅈ) and it is difficult to see that there is any possible public interest justification for this behaviour.
I note that a number of journalists, including Nick Robinson BBC, are now expressing their concerns about the way in which this has been done, and the way in which this reflects on the journalistic profession.
I am writing as someone who has dealt with MPs of both main parties over a number of years. I understand the importance of trust between MPs and their constituents, and I understand just how easily this can be damaged.
I want to be able to trust my MP to tell me the truth. I do not wish him to be constrained by the possibility that what he says in the confidence of his surgery may end up in the press. This action by the Telegraph is therefore directly against my interests as a member of the public.
It is hard to see the Telegraphs actions as “reporting” the news, this is about “creating” the news with the clear intention of creating division within the government and manipulating public opinion. That should not be the role of a newspaper.
The Press Complaints Committee is sometimes perceived to be too passive, remaining on the sidelines when the press is behaving in ways that are bad for the profession and bad for the democratic process. This behaviour by the Daily Telegraph is one of the most flagrant breaches of the code that I have seen. I am hoping that the Press Complaints Committee will now assert itself to give clear guidance to the profession on where the line needs to be drawn in terms of the balance between “public interest” and acceptable journalistic practice.
