‘Sunday News’ Gets Press Council Slap (Press, 27 September 1989)

An article published by the “Sunday News” regarding the late Peter Plumley-Walker has received criticism from the Press Council, which upheld part of a complaint made by Paul Kinder, representing Gays and Lesbians Against Discrimination. The council noted that while the sensational style of the “Sunday News” may be expected by its readership, it still upholds professional standards in journalism that should avoid untruths, exaggerations, and unfair representations of individuals. On February 12, the “Sunday News” featured a front-page headline stating, “Murder Victim’s Dark Secrets Exposed,” which discussed details surrounding Mr Plumley-Walker's death. He was found at Huka Falls on February 2, 1989. The article accused him of living a "double life" and described him as a “closet homosexual,” referring to his purported interest in pornographic material and suggesting implications about his lifestyle. The complaint highlighted that the portrayal of Mr Plumley-Walker was unduly negative and served to denigrate not only him but the broader gay community. Kinder's grievance pointed out the absence of evidence showing any illegal activities on Mr Plumley-Walker's part and condemned the newspaper for associating him with other individuals previously convicted of sexual offences, which contributed to a harmful stereotype. In response, the editor of the “Sunday News” contended that the article reflected public interest in the matter rather than intended discrimination against a minority group. While the Press Council did not affirm that the article explicitly denigrated all homosexuals, it acknowledged that the reporting was largely based on assumptions rather than substantial evidence, resulting in an unjustly negative portrayal of Mr Plumley-Walker. The council found that the sensational nature of the article failed to align with the ethical principles expected in journalism. Moreover, the article included references to material from “Truth” related to Mr Plumley-Walker's presumed actions and alluded to a previous conviction in Britain without providing specific details. Based on the overall assessment of the article's content and its potentially damaging implications, the Press Council condemned the article and reaffirmed the need for responsible journalism that adheres to truth and fairness.

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