The Irish Independent recently published a very homophobic piece from Kevin Myers, Every single human decision has a consequence.
tl;dr Click this SEND PREPARED EMAIL
Ireland doesn't have any formal regulation of print media, but has an industry body, the Press Ombudsman. They have a Code of Practice for newspapers, which this tripe clearly falls foul of. You can complain to the Press Ombudsman.
Step-by-step complaint guide
Step 1: Email the editor of the Irish Independent
Press Council Rules
The Press Ombudsman has some funny rules. Based on my previous experience with them and the Irish Independent, this is what you must do:
- Send the compltaint to the email address
wkealy@independent.ie(This is the acting editors address, and no, it's not on the Irish Independent website. The Press Council didn't explain how members of the public are supposed to know this email address) - The Press Council does not think that
info@independent.ieemail address (which is the main Indepedent 'enquiries' address on their contact us page), is acceptable since they don't think it'll get to the editor. - You must explain how you are personally affected by it. The Press Council drop complaints that don't mention this.
Sample email complaint
Here's a sample.
For Attention of: The Editor
Re: A Complaint under the Press Council Code of Practice
This letter is not for publication.
I wish to make a complaint about the article published here: http://www.independent.ie/opinion/columnists/kevin-myers/kevin-myers-every-single-human-decision-has-a-consequence-so-remember-that-the-next-time-you-vote-for-someones-rights-3048999.html 'Every single human decision has a consequence' and on page 14 of today (14th March 2012) Irish Independent.
I believe this article goes against Principle 8 of the Code of Practice for
Newspapers and Magazines - "Prejudice", since it encourages hatred against
people based on their sexual orientation.
It implies that the childre of gay couples will be criminals, and that gay
parents are paedophiles.
As a gay man, who does not have as much civil equality as heterosexuals, my
chances of getting married depends on possible public vote, and articles
like this paint my life and my relationship in a bad light, potentially
harming my ability to get married. It also increases the chance I could be
the victim of a hate crime. The article personally, negatively affects me.
or click this SEND EMAIL and your email programme will open it.
Step 2: Wait 2 weeks
You have to wait 2 weeks before the Press Council/Ombudsman will do anything. This is to give the newspaper a chance to deal with it themselves.
I sent the above email to the Irish Independent, and didn't hear anything after 2 weeks, so I doubt you will either. Looks like the editor is ignoring this.
Step 3: Email Press Council
If after 2 weeks, nothing happens, then you can ask the Press Council/Ombudsman to do something. I didn't hear from the newspaper.
Sample Email
Send an email to info@pressombudsman.ie, include your original complaint to the Irish Independent editor, and tell them you have recieved nothing.
It has been 2 weeks, and I have no received any communication at all
from the Irish Independent, or their editor. The article in question is
still available online at
http://www.independent.ie/opinion/columnists/kevin-myers/kevin-myers-every-single-human-decision-has-a-consequence-so-remember-that-the-next-time-you-vote-for-someones-rights-3048999.html
I would like your office to investigate this, since the newspaper in
question are ignoring this complaint.