PCC year at a glance

PCC criticises The
Sunday Times for 'dyke' reference

The PCC issued a landmark ruling, when it judged that a reference to TV presenter Clare Balding by columnist AA Gill - in which he called her a "dyke on a bike" - was pejorative in breach of Clause 12 (Discrimination) of the Code of Practice.

The Commission upheld the complaint, saying that the article had referenced "the complainant's sexuality in a demeaning and gratuitous way".

PCC holds event in Holyrood

Members of the Commission visited the Scottish Parliament in Holyrood, to discuss the work of the PCC. The event was hosted by the Cross-Party Group on Culture and Media, and provided the opportunity to advertise - in front of an audience of MSPs and interested parties - how the PCC can help those with concerns about the press.

The PCC was represented by three of its Scottish Commissioners (one editor, John McLellan of the Scotsman; and two public members, Esther Roberton and John Home Robertson), and the Chairman and Director.

PCC conference speaking

PCC staff attended the National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux Annual Conference in York, seeking to ensure that CABs are able to use the PCC's services effectively. A member of PCC staff also spoke at the Samaritans Annual Conference.

Advisory notes

In September, they included:
‒ Passing on the concerns of a celebrity couple about repeated paparazzi harassment;

‒ Asking newspapers and broadcasters not to contact a family, who did not wish to speak during the course of an inquest.