News site rebuked for posting school film

A pupil whose contribution to a classroom debate on water charges was published online has had a complaint upheld by the Press Ombudsman.

The news website’s reporter had permission to film the class during a ministerial visit but Ombudsman Peter Feeney ruled that the issue’s sensitivity meant personal consent should have been sought before using the segment.

Concerns about the way children featured in newspapers comprised 4% of the 278 complaints to the Press Ombudsman last year but made up four of the 10 cases which were upheld.