Marie Aoun vs. North Eastern Tribune
SUMMARY
The headlines to the texts in dispute read, Loved pet shot dead (page 1); and, Grieving pet owner speaks out; and, Shooting to kill is not the answer (an editorial). These were published on 7 August 2015.
This ruling by Press Ombud Johan Retief was based on the Press Code that was in effect before 30 September 2022.
The story was about a dog that had been shot dead by a Community Action Protection security officer.
Marie Aoun complained that the:
- shooting of a pet did not warrant three articles; and
- story was told from the perspective of the owner, while largely ignoring that of a security guard.
Retief decided that he did not have any grounds on which to adjudicate this complaint as the story did not mention either Aoun or the security guard by name, and the matter had already been settled between the owner of the dog and the security company.
THE RULING ITSELF
Complaint
Aoun is complaining about two stories and an editorial in the North Eastern Tribune of 7 August 2015. The texts were headlined:
· Loved pet shot dead (front-page);
· Grieving pet owner speaks out (page 3);
· Shooting to kill is not the answer (the editorial, page 4).
She complains that:
· the shooting of a pet does not warrant three articles; and
· the story was told from the perspective of the owner, while largely ignoring that of the security guard.
Decision
As the story did not mention either Aoun or the security guard by name, and the matter has already been settled between the owner of the dog and the security company, I have decided that I do not have any grounds on which to adjudicate this complaint.
Appeal
Our Complaints Procedures lay down that within seven working days of receipt of this decision, either party may apply for leave to appeal to the Chairperson of the SA Press Appeals Panel, Judge Bernard Ngoepe, fully setting out the grounds of appeal. He can be contacted at [email protected].
Johan Retief
Press Ombudsman
