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Major blunder at Dumbarton Reporter may prove costly

By His Nibs

February 25, 2012 | 3 min read

In the latest entry by The Drum's anonymous blogger, revealing news and observations Scotland's media and business communities wouldn't want you to hear, His Nibs uncovers details of a shocking error and its possible consequences.

The Leveson Enquiry has so far focused on phone hacking by the News of the World in London.

But perhaps his lordship may wish to cast his eyes north of the Border to assess how a Scottish paper, which has a connection to The Screws, deals with a tricky issue.

The publication in question is the relatively-humble Dumbarton and Vale of Leven Reporter.

The Reporter was forced to recall much of its print run last week, pulp the lot and hastily reprint and redistribute the paper with a grovelling front-page apology.

It’s crime?

Well, to be on the safe side, let’s read it verbatim from the horse’s mouth (website).

The headline is “David Logan: Correction”.

Then comes: “Earlier editions of the Dumbarton and Vale of Leven Reporter carried a picture of a man on pages one and four we claimed was convicted sex offender David Logan, 24.

“This was not the case.

“The picture was of supermarket worker James MacLean, 22, who has no connection to the story.

“We are happy to set the record straight and would like to apologise to Mr MacLean and his family for any distress our article has caused.”

His Nibs has never been in this horrific situation before so this is purely guesswork. But it sounds to me this level of distress might be worth a right good sum of money to Mr MacLean and his family.

So how did it happen?

It is believed that new editorial supremo Craig Jackson has been hard at work reshaping the paper’s editorial team and as part of that cost-cutting process he hired a former colleague to take over as news editor.

She’s since done the honourable thing and resigned so to save her from further humiliation I have decided not to name her.

But what’s the connection between the Reporter and the News of the World? I hear you ask.

Craig Jackson worked as Scottish news editor for Rupert Murdoch’s organ before it was shut down!

His Lordship may also wish to keep tabs on The Scotsman.

The paper recently identified children while reporting on court proceedings involving allegations of a parcel bomb threat to Celtic manager Neil Lennon.

The children were not involved in the allegations and consequently a complaint about the paper’s coverage is said to be winding its way to the PCC.

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