21,000 complain over Gately article - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

waichingliu81 · 10-19-2009, 11:14 AM

2 hours 1 min ago

Columnist Jan Moir's article about the death of Stephen Gately has drawn the biggest number of complaints ever received by the Press Complaints Commission, it said.

The piece, published in the Daily Mail on Friday, prompted 21,000 complaints, the PCC said.

The commission said it would write to the Mail for a response even if Gately's family did not make a formal complaint.

The article was published the day before the funeral of the gay Boyzone singer, who died on the Spanish island of Majorca. It sparked a furious reaction, with widespread discussions on social networking sites, such as Twitter, which encouraged people to make a complaint. Stephen Fry was among those mobilising action.

Moir has defended herself, claiming suggestions of homophobia were "mischievous" and suggesting the backlash was a "heavily orchestrated internet campaign".

The PCC said that it was "by far the highest number of complaints ever received about a single article in the history of the Commission". The PCC said it generally requires the involvement of "directly-affected parties" in its investigations. It has already been in contact with Boyzone's representatives, who are in touch with the family.

But the PCC said if they did not wish to complain, it would "in any case write to the Daily Mail for its response to the more general complaints from the public before considering whether there are any issues under the code (of practice) to pursue". Police have also received a complaint about the article.

In the column, Moir wrote: "Healthy and fit 33-year-old men do not just climb into their pyjamas and go to sleep on the sofa, never to wake up again. Whatever the cause of death is, it is not, by any yardstick, a natural one."

And she signed off: "For once again, under the carapace of glittering, hedonistic celebrity, the ooze of a very different and more dangerous lifestyle has seeped out for all to see."

Columnist Janet Street-Porter was among those joining the criticism of the tone of Moir's article. Writing in Monday's Daily Mail, she said: "What exactly was bothering Jan? The fact that Stephen was gay, the fact he was in a civil partnership or the fact that he or his partner might have enjoyed sex with someone they had just met?"

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/21/20091019...e-6323e80.html

Waterston_Fan · 10-19-2009, 11:33 AM

What did he die of?

robyrob · 10-19-2009, 12:13 PM

so it doesn't exactly say in the article when or where she received her medical license or where this reporter practices as a medical examiner?

...seems at the very least to be irresponsible journalism, and at best just smarmy tabloid gossip

waichingliu81 · 10-19-2009, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waterston_Fan

What did he die of?

according to sky news in the UK, he died of natural causes

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/5/20091019/...c-45dbed5.html

waichingliu81 · 10-19-2009, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robyrob

so it doesn't exactly say in the article when or where she received her medical license or where this reporter practices as a medical examiner?

...seems at the very least to be irresponsible journalism, and at best just smarmy tabloid gossip

this was posted in yahoo news but it was originally reported on ITN news. but yes, there was no name of the reporter involved.

Chocoholic · 10-19-2009, 03:51 PM

Young people can and do die unexpectedly from natural causes.

Sharop · 10-19-2009, 05:31 PM

I don't know a lot about the situation, but I think most sources are reporting that he did die of natural causes. It may be rare, but it's definitely not unheard of.

OH Nuts! · 10-21-2009, 10:13 PM

Sorry, but I don't think Moir is right to be so wee-wee'd out. When you make catty remarks about someone who has just died don't expect hugs and kisses.

waichingliu81 · 10-22-2009, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OH Nuts!

Sorry, but I don't think Moir is right to be so wee-wee'd out. When you make catty remarks about someone who has just died don't expect hugs and kisses.

you hit the nail right on the head rich!

OH Nuts! · 10-23-2009, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by waichingliu81

you hit the nail right on the head rich!

Thanks sweetie. May I be #21,001 on her hit parade unless we're talking six digits worth of complaints by now. Talk about a poison pen. Moir takes the cake.

10-19-2009, 11:14 AM	#1
waichingliu81 debbie allen Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 28, 2006 Location: london, england, UK Posts: 4,347	21,000 complain over Gately article 2 hours 1 min ago Columnist Jan Moir's article about the death of Stephen Gately has drawn the biggest number of complaints ever received by the Press Complaints Commission, it said. The piece, published in the Daily Mail on Friday, prompted 21,000 complaints, the PCC said. The commission said it would write to the Mail for a response even if Gately's family did not make a formal complaint. The article was published the day before the funeral of the gay Boyzone singer, who died on the Spanish island of Majorca. It sparked a furious reaction, with widespread discussions on social networking sites, such as Twitter, which encouraged people to make a complaint. Stephen Fry was among those mobilising action. Moir has defended herself, claiming suggestions of homophobia were "mischievous" and suggesting the backlash was a "heavily orchestrated internet campaign". The PCC said that it was "by far the highest number of complaints ever received about a single article in the history of the Commission". The PCC said it generally requires the involvement of "directly-affected parties" in its investigations. It has already been in contact with Boyzone's representatives, who are in touch with the family. But the PCC said if they did not wish to complain, it would "in any case write to the Daily Mail for its response to the more general complaints from the public before considering whether there are any issues under the code (of practice) to pursue". Police have also received a complaint about the article. In the column, Moir wrote: "Healthy and fit 33-year-old men do not just climb into their pyjamas and go to sleep on the sofa, never to wake up again. Whatever the cause of death is, it is not, by any yardstick, a natural one." And she signed off: "For once again, under the carapace of glittering, hedonistic celebrity, the ooze of a very different and more dangerous lifestyle has seeped out for all to see." Columnist Janet Street-Porter was among those joining the criticism of the tone of Moir's article. Writing in Monday's Daily Mail, she said: "What exactly was bothering Jan? The fact that Stephen was gay, the fact he was in a civil partnership or the fact that he or his partner might have enjoyed sex with someone they had just met?" http://uk.news.yahoo.com/21/20091019...e-6323e80.html

10-19-2009, 12:13 PM	#3
robyrob certified wackball#3 Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Aug 03, 2003 Location: hiding under the third booth at Arnold's Posts: 58,197	so it doesn't exactly say in the article when or where she received her medical license or where this reporter practices as a medical examiner? ...seems at the very least to be irresponsible journalism, and at best just smarmy tabloid gossip
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10-19-2009, 05:31 PM	#7
Sharop Andy Gibb aged 12 Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 03, 2004 Location: Courthouse Square, Hill Valley, beside the clocktower, 10:04 p.m., November 12th 1955 Posts: 3,912	I don't know a lot about the situation, but I think most sources are reporting that he did die of natural causes. It may be rare, but it's definitely not unheard of.
	__________________ http://rainbowlight.proboards102.com My new astral projection forums Doc: Don't worry! As long as you hit that wire with the connecting hook at precisely 88 miles per hour, the instant the lightning strikes the tower, everything will be fine!

10-19-2009, 11:33 AM	#2
Waterston_Fan Eternal Member Eternal Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 26, 2005 Location: Southern California Posts: 3,195	What did he die of?

10-19-2009, 03:51 PM	#6
Chocoholic Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 01, 2000 Location: Between a rock and a hard place. Posts: 11,235	Young people can and do die unexpectedly from natural causes.

10-21-2009, 10:13 PM	#8
OH Nuts! Member Forum King Join Date: Feb 15, 2005 Posts: 133,383	Sorry, but I don't think Moir is right to be so wee-wee'd out. When you make catty remarks about someone who has just died don't expect hugs and kisses.