MARTIN QUINN AGAINST THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES

The Otago Daily Times published an article on 21 May 2024, headlined Pedestrian hit by vehicle in central Dunedin. The story ran with two photos showing fire and ambulance crew tending to the victim at an accident scene.

Martin Quinn said Dunedin was a small city and showing a person who had been ‘run over by a truck’ was in very poor taste and objectionable. He complained it breached NZ Media Council Principles (2) Privacy and (11) Photographs and Graphics.

The Otago Daily Times acknowledged such stories could be confronting but their job was to report the news as and when it happened. They said they took care not to identify victims in such circumstances. 

The NZ Media Council notes the accident was a newsworthy local story and photographic coverage was a normal part of that. The Council noted that care was taken with the choice and use of photos and video footage.

The images were shot from distance, across a wide intersection, there were no close-ups and the victim was not readily identifiable.  This showed special consideration was given as required by the NZ Media Council’s principles relating to privacy and the selection of images showing distressing or shocking situations.

Decision: There were no grounds to proceed.