Annoyed with Local Newspaper Article

[Head_in_the_clouds]

Last week, I got a phone call from the local newspaper asking if they could do an article on me and my performing achievements. I hate being in the papers as I am private and don't like to boast or show off in any way and I have turned down offers of articles before so instead of asking me to come in for an interview (which I might have turned down), this journalist started firing questions over the phone. She asked me lots of personal questions (about my earnings from work, "You're single aren't you???" and asking me to comment on children I had worked with) and said she didn't need a picture as she already had one (a candid of me on stage which I was unfamiliar with). She is well known for being a little bit pushy. Anyway, I'm generally quite pleased with the article thats went to press apart from two things. One she has quoted me as saying something in speech marks from an previous article last week by another journalist which I never said at all in the first place. Two, she has put my ADDRESS IN THE ARTICLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Is this right??????

 

[PoppyAnna]

Oh dear, it doesn't sound right that she has published your address. Is it your full address?

 

[Head_in_the_clouds]

Everything apart from the house number but I have a foreign last name and we are the only family in this area (if not England!) with this surname and all you have to do is look in the phone book to find out my house number. All she needed to do was say what town I was from, I don't think journalists should be giving out anyone's address, let alone that of a single woman in her twenties. I'm especially not pleased because (as some DISers may remember), I have issues with a bit of a stalker and so I've fought hard to keep my address from him as he only sees me out and about and thats bad enough, now he knows where I live. Silly woman. I don't know why you would publish someone's address at all. What's even remotely interesting about that?

 

[Chilly]

That is not right at all you should get onto the paper and ask to speak to the editor first thing in the morning. If they won't put you through threaten to sue for mis-representation.

 

[mandymouse]

I would be annoyed too.

 

[Head_in_the_clouds]

Apparently it is perfectly legal too as its considered to be public information . Well theres only one thing for it. I'm going to move elsewhere .

 

[Jonjo]

I would contact the editor and ensure any on-line version of the article are removed or edited to remove your address details. If they don't contact the Press Complaints Commission.

 

[Head_in_the_clouds]

Thanks . OMG was just looking online to see if they always put peoples addresses in articles and happened to stumble upon one where a woman had attacked a man who had been stalking her - it put her address on too!!! Are they INSANE???

 

[Chilly]

They may be allowed to put your address but they can't mis-quote you.

 

[joolz1910]

It doesn't seem right that they can publish your address. How is that in the public interest? I know with kids at school that they can't even give the surnames in the local press.

 

[Dimplenose]

Apparently it is perfectly legal too as its considered to be public information . Well theres only one thing for it. I'm going to move elsewhere .

I know a nice place about 4000 miles away.

It doesn't seem right that they can publish your address. How is that in the public interest? I know with kids at school that they can't even give the surnames in the local press.

That's the school's decision not the press's. Our school allows full names unless the parents specifically ask not to have their child's included (they send out a form at the beginning of the school year).

 

[bazzanoid]

Sadly it is perfectly legal to put your street name as the law sees it as 'not personal information' since your door number isn't used - most local papers use street names about people, something about the whole 'Woohoo someone in the paper lives on my street' thing that local papers used to do to instill a sense of community among it's readers, back when we used to have street parties and you could leave your front door open etc.....

That's why many are being killed off, they're stuck in the 70's!

With regards to the quote, that IS strictly illegal and you should send a letter demanding a correction note in the next paper with regards to that. As above, failure to do so and you'll report them (and that will cost them big time). Be sure to mention you're happy with the article overall and thank them for taking the time and interest in her but you will not be misrepresented in such a public way.

 

[T16GEM]

Oh dear, that is terrible, I would be annoyed too.
I think in this day and age that they should be more mindful of what they print.

 

[Head_in_the_clouds]

Thanks for the advice everyone . I couldn't even call it a misquote, it was a "completely out of thin air quote!". The journalist had also done some "research" on me from past articles and my cv and put it in the papers without permission, this is just a local paper, you can imagine what it is like for celebs in national newspapers.