Full address of each child in a local paper's competition for best baby photo

[lovechoc]

I entered DS into a competition in a local rag (best baby picture), gave over my full address (thinking they'd be using it to contact us if he was to win), then a few weeks later we find out it has been published in the local newspaper along with his photo! Surely this isn't right?? I emailed editorial and was told it is 'traditional' and has been for the past several years.

Had I known that they would publish the address I would NOT have put him entered him into the competition.

Should I take some legal action against the paper or just put it down to a bad experience?? I have decided that was the first and last time he will be entered into a competition like that.

Anyone else been in this situation?

[Squishabelle]

They actually published the full address including the house number? This seems a bit unnecessary.

[Fayrazzled]

I wouldn't be happy about it if it were me, but I'm not sure you have any cause for legal action. I'd chalk it up to experience if I were you. All babies are beautiful- no need for a competition.

[lovechoc]

thanks folks, yeah, I'm putting it down to a bad experience...

Yep, they published the full address, including the house number! Most relatives and friends I've spoken to since said it's really not necessary, why on earth does the full address have anything to do with it?? However I have to just accept that's how it's been done. Won't be doing that again

[smallorange]

When I was a local newspaper reporter it was standard practice to publish name, age and street name when talking about anyone local. It shows we are talking about real people and not making everything up. Did they put your house number in?

[BoneYard]

When i was 8 i won a county poetry comp and my piccy was in the paper along with my name, the school i went to and crucially the street i lived on .

The paper changed their policy when i received two calls from some bloke saying he worked for the paper asking me what colour knickers i was wearing and if i had a boyfriend. He stopped calling when my mum revealed to him she'd been listening on the other line all the time and thought she recognised his voice (this was before 1471 etc in the late 70s.)

I'm sure there is nothing to worry about and i was just unlucky but i deffo think a complaint is in order.

[lovechoc]

yes the house number is in the paper. BoneYard that is awful some sicko trying his luck..this is what worries me about this competition, not just DS but all the other babies in the paper.

I did complain in my email but I got the 'it's traditional' line. what else can you say to that, really??

[BoneYard]

Yes i think it was and i certainly didn't want to worry you but just to back up your point a bit . Seems very odd in this day and age when every other authority is going overboard on child protection.

Is there a rival newspaper with a letters page?

[lovechoc]

Lol, now that's a thought...