In addition to our letter of factual correction to The Sun, which was printed on 1 February, we have now forwarded a formal complaint to the Press Complaints Commission (PCC) regarding the article by Rod Liddle that appeared in the paper on January 26.
The purpose of the formal complaint is to:
1 Support the numerous complaints from members of the public that have been sent to both the PCC and the paper in relation to Sections 1 and 12 of the PCC Editors Code of Conduct.
2 To point out that letters of reply and correction did not receive the same prominence as the original item – as is required in Section 1. ii of the PCC Editors Code of Conduct.
3 To request an apology from Rod Liddle – as appears appropriate according to Section 1. ii of the PCC Editors Code of Conduct.
4 To point out that several parts of the article were prejudicial in relation to disabled people in general – and as such the article appears to contravene Section 12.i of the PCC Editors Code of Conduct.
5 To request a meeting with editors of national newspapers to discuss the prejudicial and inaccurate way in which some sections of the media still report on ME.
6 To request a meeting involving representatives from a group of medical charities to discuss the way in which some sections of the media are now demonising people with disabilities as ‘welfare scroungers' during the debate on welfare reform.
We are very grateful to the Countess of Mar, who has offered to be involved with these meetings – if the PCC is willing/able to arrange them.
Our formal complaint has now been passed to The Sun, who will have to respond.
We will keep people informed of any progress through further announcements on the MEA website.
Thank you for doing such a thorough job.
This is great! Thank you.
Excellent, can you please send the PCC a copy of “Voices from the Shadows” with your submission to help to counter Rod Liddle’s assertion that ME is not a serious illness plus of course the autopsy info.
And also please show it to the editors of national media if such a meeting takes place, it is such a powerful film I hope that MEA and the other charities will make full use of this film, it speaks volumes.
Really the ME charities, the APPG and Forward ME should be coming together as one and using this film as part of a concerted package, along with the biomedical evidence etc to educate and confront the Royal Colleges, MP’s, DWP, DoH, and the media as to what is going on.