View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

Buzzfeed UK ‘stands by’ report about sacking of Times journalist Peter Yeung despite misquote claim

By Sam Forsdick

Buzzfeed UK has said it stands by its reporting after Times journalist Peter Yeung accused the website of misquoting him in a report that claimed he had been sacked from the title for “gross misconduct”.

Yeung reportedly published travel and gig reviews on the Times website without editors’ knowledge, according to Buzzfeed.

The website said its article was based on information from five separate sources, three of whom went on the record.

The sources said Yeung “uploaded the reviews to the internal system and then exploited a feature which meant only those who were sent the URL could see the article”.

He allegedly then sent out the reviews “to convince companies to give him perks”, the sources told Buzzfeed.

A senior Times reporter, who was not named, told Buzzfeed the episode was “a pretty dark mark on the Times and our reputation”.

In comments to Buzzfeed, Yeung said: “This is the worst mistake of my life and I’m truly sorry for risking the reputation of the paper.”

Content from our partners
How PA Media is helping newspapers make the digital transition
Publishing on the open web is broken, how generative AI could help fix it
Impress: Regulation, arbitration and complaints resolution

“It was an idiotic decision and I’ve rightly lost my job and can’t afford to pay rent. I don’t know what I’m going to do with my life. But it’s what I deserve.”

But Yeung told Press Gazette today: “There are significant inaccuracies in the Buzzfeed story and I have been misquoted. I am seeking legal advice.”

A spokesperson for Buzzfeed said: “We stand by our reporting.”

Yeung started working for the Times in 2016 and has a written a number of exclusives and front page stories.

Many of his stories involved using data journalism techniques, including work on mental health issues in prisons and universities and a joint report on Airbnb hosts breaking the law.

He has also written for the Financial Times, Guardian, Independent and the Telegraph amongst others and was longlisted for the 2017 Orwell Prize for Exposing Britain’s Social Evils.

Yeung has previously written gig reviews on Thom Yorke and Tune Yards for the Times.

A spokesperson for the Times told Buzzfeed UK: “The Times does not comment on personal matters.”

Topics in this article : ,

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 does 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 New Statesman Media Group 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