View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

  1. News
March 2, 2009

The Times defends use of David Cameron photo

By owenamos

The Times used a photograph of David Cameron and his wife returning home after the death of their son because ‘it reflected the tragedy and pain of the loss of a child more eloquently than any number of words could”, its feedback editor has said.

The picture’s use was criticised by some readers as an intrusion into grief.

But Sally Baker wrote on Saturday: ‘We took great pains to treat the story carefully and sensitively, and the selection of photographs was a significant part of those discussions.

‘After considerable debate, as part of Thursday’s paper we published on an inside page a two-column colour photograph of Mr and Mrs Cameron returning to their London house in the hours following Wednesday’s announcement, their grief etched on their faces. It was taken by a news agency and was also used by most of Thursday’s newspapers.

‘We chose to use this photograph because it reflected the tragedy and pain of the loss of a child more eloquently than any number of words could and we felt it made an important contribution to our coverage of such a sad event.

‘It was not used lightly or carelessly or without consultation…it remains the view of the editor that we were justified in using a photograph that will have contributed to the enormous public sympathy directed towards the family.”

Content from our partners
MHP Group's 30 To Watch awards for young journalists open for entries
How PA Media is helping newspapers make the digital transition
Publishing on the open web is broken, how generative AI could help fix it

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