Radio 2 in the Park 2024

[E*F*4L]

More than 1,000 complaints have been made about a Daily Mail column on the death of singer Stephen Gately, the Press Complaints Commission (PCC) says.

The PCC said the number of complaints received about the piece by Jan Moir was "approaching a record".

Moir's article said Gately's death struck a blow to the "happy-ever-after myth of civil partnerships".

But in a statement Moir said it was "mischievous" to suggest her article had homophobic undertones.

Marks & Spencer has asked the newspaper to move an advertisement which appeared alongside the online version of the article.

The PCC said it was considering the nature of the comments it had received. More than 1,000 complaints have been made about a Daily Mail column on the death of singer Stephen Gately, the Press Complaints Commission (PCC) says.

The PCC said the number of complaints received about the piece by Jan Moir was "approaching a record".

Moir's article said Gately's death struck a blow to the "happy-ever-after myth of civil partnerships".

But in a statement Moir said it was "mischievous" to suggest her article had homophobic undertones.

Marks & Spencer has asked the newspaper to move an advertisement which appeared alongside the online version of the article.

The PCC said it was considering the nature of the comments it had received.

A spokesman said many of the concerns related to the perceived impact of the article on the family.

He said the PCC had sought to make contact with family representatives to establish whether they wish to make a complaint.

The article also attracted angry comments on social networking sites and blogs.

Actor Stephen Fry used his Twitter feed to discuss the article.

He wrote: "The Press Complaints Commission website is down. Sheer volume of traffic. That says something about the strength of feeling I think."

'Glamorous routine'

In her column, Moir called the Boyzone singer's death "strange, lonely and troubling".

She wrote: "The Gately family are - perhaps understandably - keen to register their boy's demise on the national consciousness as nothing more than a tragic accident."

But she continued: "Whatever the cause of death is, it is not, by any yardstick, a natural one. Let us be absolutely clear about this.

"All that has been established so far is that Stephen Gately was not murdered."

She concluded: "As a gay rights champion, I am sure he would want to set an example to any impressionable young men who may want to emulate what they might see as his glamorous routine.

"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."

'Not intentional'

In response to the complaints, the Daily Mail released a statement from Moir.

She said: "Some people, particularly in the gay community, have been upset by my article about the sad death of Boyzone member Stephen Gately. This was never my intention."

She said the point of her column was to suggest that the death raised "many unanswered questions."

She said she was not referring to the fact of his homosexuality when writing about Gately's "glamorous routine".

She also defended her comments about civil partnerships.

She said: "I was suggesting that civil partnerships - the introduction of which I am on the record in supporting - have proved just to be as problematic as marriages."

Marks & Spencer said it "does not tolerate any form of discrimination.

"We have asked the Daily Mail to move our advertisement away from the article. This is a matter for the Daily Mail," they said.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8311499.stm

i have not read the article, but im gonna complain anyway !

Our Address:

Press Complaints Commission

Halton House

20/23 Holborn

London EC1N 2JD

For a map click here

Helpline: 0845 600 2757

Switchboard: 020 7831 0022

Facsimile: 020 7831 0025

Textphone: 020 7831 0123

E-mail: [email protected]

[Jono]

Well I think you should never admit to not reading these things. That's crazy to make a complaint over something you've not read.

But it is a shocking piece even if it has been watered down now. Unfortunately the Daily Mail have had something like this coming for a while.

[Nik B.]

I'd quite like to see this article to be honest, but I wouldn't ever complain about something without reading it first, because I see that as sheep behaviour. Mob Mentality and all that. Still, sounds rather wrong to me from the little I've seen.

[Jono]

I'd quite like to see this article to be honest, but I wouldn't ever complain about something without reading it first, because I see that as sheep behaviour. Mob Mentality and all that. Still, sounds rather wrong to me from the little I've seen.

Yeah so rather than typing up contact details to complain about what you've not read, here's links for some background reading!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1220756/A-strange-lonely-troubling-death--.html

Charlie Brooker's article:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/oct/16/stephen-gately-jan-moir

And Jan Moir claiming to be the victim:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/oct/16/jan-moir-stephen-gately-response

[Nik B.]

My impression is that shes making out that being gay is at least a little bit seedy. Nik No Happy :|

[Lee.]

hahaha charlie brooker is a legend if this teaches the daily mail a lesson about blowing things out of propotion like they did with the russell brand jonathan ross thing

[Rik]

You can't complain about something you have not even read. Complaining to the PCC is for people who have been badly affected in some way by an article, and not for those who are doing it for a bit of fun.

Anyway, I'm sure Jan Moir is starting to regret her pile of insensitive stereotype-filled poop.

[KingTutsWWH]

i have not read the article, but im gonna complain anyway !

Stamped my foot very hard at that idiotic comment Mr EF4L. I'd expect better from you. Honestly?:cry:

Thank you Jono for collating the bits and pieces on this icky issue.

PS. It's just occurred to me you might have been trying to be ironic? (Get out clause for you Alan). Hmmm?

[E*F*4L]

right then some clarification,

by saying that i haven't read the article (the actual real article & not the edited version) & that it was brought to my attention after it had happened, it is wrong for me to complain after actively seeking out the information thus giving me a reason to complain.

of course i have read up on it, i read what i posted in the first post (bbc quote) before i posted it, & then googled it, i didn't post the Daily Fail link because they have edited it to try & cover up.

as for suggesting that i was being ironic, well yes, as the reason above, im sure that you will complain after reading this after the event (you didn't read it in the paper or on the web site) you were told about it & then decided it was wrong & then complained about it, yes of course its wrong, but that's how things are now, 2 million people listened to the Brand/Ross radio show & one listener complained about the use of language, but then a week later after the Daily Fail ran the story thousands of people complained even though they had actively seeked out the content, listened to it were offended & only then complained.

i am still actively trying to find the original un-edited page/text/screenshot of the article.

http://www.catcha.co.uk/maila.jpg

[DarkAngelMJH]

Haha it's now got the record for the most complained about article. Stupid daily fail.

[driftingeccentric]

Even by Daily Mail standards, this article was utterly repugnant. Regardless of what happened during that night, it's still an awful tragedy.

[Tom.]

I love this bit on the website... shows the volume of hate for Jane Moir

[Jono]

Police have received a complaint about an article written by newspaper columnist Jan Moir concerning the death of Boyzone singer Stephen Gately, Scotland Yard said.

The article, published in Friday's Daily Mail, also prompted more than 1,000 complaints to the Press Complaints Commission (PCC).

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "We have received a complaint from a member of the public."

A spokesman for the PCC said of the 1,000 complaints received, many were relating to questions of accuracy, intrusion and discrimination. He said the PCC had already established links with Gately's family in case they had wanted to express an opinion about the coverage of his death.

Moir questioned how many of those who had complained had read her column.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5jiOcxMkKdtWBEy8xbEMH5fdaG4WQ

[Paisley]

It will be interesting to see what happens next. The fact she thinks that anyone disagrees with her view because of a 'heavily orchestrated internet campaign' is quite an insult. I would never read or buy that paper. I wouldn't have heard of her article without seeing the trend topic on Twitter. So yes, the web helped me to read her words. But no one told me what to think of them! 'The Daily Mail - toilet paper'.

[DarkAngelMJH]

Moir questioned how many of those who had complained had read her column.

Same thing what happened with Russel Brand.

[E*F*4L]

Same thing what happened with Russel Brand.

exactly! i have sent my complaint to the PPC, i hope the rest of you have done the same. i hope she (homophobic bitch) gets the sack & the daily fail (nazi's) get sued !

they are targeting twitter now! copy & tweet this if you agree: #dailyfail fight back "Twitter twits!" http://bit.ly/jglXc #dailyfail needs to be taught a lesson ! plz RT

[Jono]

Numbers have rose to 21,000 now. Biggest number of complaints in 5 years.

[E*F*4L]

Numbers have rose to 21,000 now. Biggest number of complaints in 5 years.

good !

this is the reply i got back.

Dear alan *****************

Thank you for sending us your complaint about the Daily Mail article on the subject of the death of Stephen Gately. We have received numerous complaints about this matter.

I should first make clear that the Commission generally requires the involvement of directly affected parties before it can begin an investigation into an article. On this occasion, it may be a matter for the family of Mr Gately to raise a complaint about how his death has been treated by the Daily Mail. I can inform you that we have made ourselves available to the family and Mr Gately's bandmates, in order that they can use our services if they wish.

We require the direct involvement of affected parties because the PCC process can have a public outcome and it would be discourteous for the Commission to publish information relating to individuals without their knowledge or consent. Indeed, doing so might unwittingly add to any intrusion. Additionally, one of the PCC's roles is dispute resolution, and we would need contact with the affected party in order to determine what would be an acceptable means of settling a complaint.

On initial examination, it would appear that you are, therefore, a third party to the complaint, and wemay not be able to pursue your concerns further. However, if you feel that your complaint touches on claims that do not relate directly to Mr Gately or his family, please let us know, making clear how they raise a breach of the Code of Practice. If you feel that the Commission should waive its third party rules, please make clear why you believe this.

Press Complaints Commission

well im going to reply as some of the content doesn't relate directly to Mr Gatley, as the basic premise of the text imply's that being gay can cut your life expectancy, thus that is blatant homophobia & against PPC rules;

article 12

Discrimination

i) The press must avoid prejudicial or pejorative reference to an individual's race, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation or to any physical or mental illness or disability.