Complaints about The Sun’s ‘Muslim problem’ article rejected, sparking criticism
Board of Deputies calls for an 'urgent redrafting' of the editor's code after complaints about tabloid paper are dismissed
Jewish and Muslim groups have called for press regulators to rewrite a code of conduct after the Independent Press Standards Organisation rejected complaints about an article in The Sun which referred to “the Muslim problem”.
Despite an IPSO panel finding that columnist Trevor Kavanagh’s comments could have caused “serious offence” it found there had been no breach of the code, leading to confused looks at Jewish and Muslim organisations.
“This decision suggests the [editor’s] code is unfit for purpose and is in urgent need of redrafting,” said Board of Deputies’ vice president Marie van der Zyl.
In its complaint, made back in August, the Board – together with Islamophobia monitor Tell MAMA and interfaith group Faith Matters – said the language harked back to that of pre-war Germany.
“The printing of the phrase ‘The Muslim Problem’ – particularly with the capitalisation and italics for emphasis – in a national newspaper sets a dangerous precedent, and harks back to the use of the phrase ‘The Jewish Problem’ in the last century, to which the Nazis responded with ‘The Final Solution’ – the Holocaust,” they said.
In its ruling, however, an IPSO spokesman said: “There is no clause in the Editors’ Code which prohibits publication of offensive content. It was clear that many, including the complainant, were offended by this aspect of the article, but there was no breach of the Code on this point.”
Stunned by the decision, the Board said it was “incomprehensible that the committee could at once acknowledge that the article was capable of giving serious offence, given it could be interpreted as a reference to the rhetoric preceding the Holocaust, and yet conclude that there was no breach of the code”.
Van der Zyl added: “The IPSO code clearly needs to be reviewed to protect minority groups, not least from comments that echo the tone of Nazi propaganda.”
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
