Press Council: Too many details published about alleged murderer
The fact that a suspected murderer is a well-known scientist does not exempt the media from exercising the utmost restraint in their reporting. The Press Council stated this in a ruling on a complaint against the French-Swiss newspapers *24 heures* and *Le Matin*, which was partially upheld.
The two media outlets had published private information about a suspected perpetrator in a disproportionate manner, according to the Press Council's decision, which was published on Tuesday. It concerned the reports "Le meurtrier présumé est un chercheur de renom" by 24 heures and "Le suspect est un célèbre généticien" by Le Matin. It is true that in this particular case, the family connection between the victim and the accused meant that the people involved were recognizable from the outset beyond their immediate social and family environment. Nevertheless, the panel found that the two newspapers should not have published all the information about the accused.
The Press Council argues that each additional piece of information increases the circle of people who can identify a suspect. Even if some of the readership could recognize the suspected perpetrator anyway, the two newspapers would have been obliged to carefully weigh up the public interest in publication against the protection of privacy for each element of information.
The Press Council argues that each additional piece of information increases the circle of people who can identify a suspect. Even if some of the readership could recognize the suspected perpetrator anyway, the two newspapers would have been obliged to carefully weigh up the public interest in publication against the protection of privacy for each element of information.
