B Deepnarian vs. Phoenix Sun
Ruling by the Press Ombudsman
July 20, 2013
This ruling is based on the written submissions of Mr B Deepnarian, principal of Palmview Secondary School, and Vivaga Thambiran, group editor of Rising Sun newspapers.
Complaint
Mr B Deepnarian complains about a story in the Phoenix Sun newspaper, headlined School toilet row causes a stink, published on 12 June 2013.
He complains that the:
Analysis
The story, written by Krishnee Naidoo, said that some parents of learners at Palmview Secondary School were disgruntled over the condition of the girls’ toilets and that these posed a health hazard.
Biased, omitting information
Deepnarian complains that the story was biased because:
Neither of these matters holds any water. This is why:
It is also quite baffling that Deepnarian supplies this office with a list of documentation, signed by him and directed to the Department of Education, complaining or at least explaining that the toilets still were not repaired.
Arriving without arrangement; not identifying themselves
Deepnarian complains that the journalists arrived at the school without any prior arrangements and when they did, they did not identify themselves.
The newspaper denies this.
This part of the complaint is hard to understand. Surely, the photographer’s equipment was in clear sight? And when they asked to see the toilets, I would expect the principal to have asked them what their business was? It is difficult to see how the principal did not know that the visitors were in fact journalists.
Secondly, to arrive without prior arrangement (if the journalists did) may have been bad manners, but that cannot be in breach of the Press Code.
Discussing the matter with the SGB
Deepnarian complains that the story was inaccurate in that the reporter had not tabled the matter with him or with the SGB.
This part of the complaint is puzzling, as the principal admits that he allowed the journalists to visit the toilets. Also see my argument above.
No permission to take pictures
Deepnarian complains that the journalists did not obtain permission to take pictures.
Phoenix Sun denies this.
Again, this part of the complaint is difficult to grasp – by the principal’s own admission he allowed the journalists (together with their photographic equipment) to inspect the toilets. Besides, somebody accompanied them. It they were not allowed to take pictures, why then did nobody stop them from doing so?
Finding
The complaint is dismissed.
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 Adjudication Panel, Judge Bernard Ngoepe, fully setting out the grounds of appeal. He can be contacted at Khanyim@ombudsman.org.za.
Johan Retief
Press Ombudsman