View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

  1. Media Law
May 5, 2011

Sun changes caption for manipulated Libya photo

By Andrew Pugh

The Sun has changed a picture caption after publishing a manipulated image of Libyan rebels beneath three pro-Gadaffi fighter jets.

The picture was used in a Sun story headlined: “We beg the West for no-fly zone before Gadaffi’s jets destroy us” on 15 March, which was about a rebel leader begging the West – ‘via The Sun’– to ‘save us”.

Reader Robert Cooke complained to the Press Complaints Commission after suspecting the image had been manipulated and that ‘this was misleading to readers and akin to propaganda”.

A statement released by the PCC today said: ‘The newspaper explained that the complainant was correct and the image was, in fact, two separate photographs.

‘It thanked him [Cooke] for pointing out that some clarification was required. The complaint was resolved when the newspaper amended the caption accompanying the online image to make clear that the image of the Libyan rebel was a ‘Vision of freedom’ and the jets had been photographed at an earlier time.’

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

Select and enter your email address Weekly insight into the big strategic issues affecting the future of the news industry. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday. Your morning brew of news about the world of news from Press Gazette and elsewhere in the media. Sent at around 10am UK time. Our weekly dose of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. A fortnightly update from the front-line of news and advertising. Aimed at marketers and those involved in the advertising industry.
  • Business owner/co-owner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CTO
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Exec Director
  • Other C-Suite
  • Managing Director
  • President/Partner
  • Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent
  • Director or equivalent
  • Group or Senior Manager
  • Head of Department/Function
  • Manager
  • Non-manager
  • Retired
  • Other
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how Progressive Media Investments may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
Thank you

Thanks for subscribing.

Websites in our network