Journalists should never intrude on grief – unless there is an overwhelming public interest – yet it happens again and again.

Following Liam Payne’s death, we were saddened to hear how the news had surfaced, with American outlet TMZ sharing cropped photographs of Payne’s body. Not only is this potentially traumatic for readers, but it also shows no sensitivity to the family, friends, and fans of the singer who were either already grieving or discovered the news in this way.

Journalists should always seek to report news with accuracy. But this should not be done by publishing unnecessary details or reporting deaths before families have learned of the news themselves, exacerbating grief or trauma in the process.

Clearly, more must be done to raise the ethical standards in news around the world.

The defence of publishing in the public interest does not give outlets carte blanche to report the most intimate or private details of a celebrity’s life, or their death. While certain professions may put a person in the public eye, that does not mean they forfeit their right to privacy.

Our thoughts are with everyone dealing with this loss, and we urge all journalists and media personnel to respect their privacy during this difficult time.

Media enquiries

Louie Chandler: louie@impressreg.org.uk / 02033076778

About Impress 

Impress is a champion for news that can be trusted. We are here to make sure news providers can publish with integrity; and the public can engage in an ever-changing media landscape with confidence. We set the highest regulatory standards for news, offer education to help people make informed choices and provide resolution when disputes arise.