Grieving families can tackle intrusive media

YOU report (May 15) Labour TD Joanne Tuffy’s demand that families angry at media coverage of relatives who were victims of a major tragedy should have their complaints investigated by the Press Council.

According to the same report, Fine Gael’s Michael D’Arcy has called for a mechanism to rein in irresponsible journalism in such cases. This mechanism already exists.

In order for a complaint to be made to the Press Council it must breach the council’s code of practice. This states that “sympathy and discretion must be shown at all times in seeking information in situations of personal grief or shock. In publishing such information, the feelings of grieving families should be taken into account”.