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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To be upset that school gave newspaper my dd's address?

96 replies

browneyedone · 12/04/2016 15:52

My dd (15) has had recent sportig success outside of school in and the school wanted to be kept informed. After I told them the results from the last competition the school stated they were going to pass it on to the local newspaper. So far OK, but what I wasn't expecting was for them to pass on the name of the road we live on (which is a cul-de-sac and amounts to a dozen houses) and for this to be published in the article. AIBU to think this is irresponsible of the school and the newspaper?

OP posts:

fascicle · 12/04/2016 20:28

Becky, apart from the fact that it's a longstanding convention on the part of newspapers, what value does a street name add to a story like this?

limitedperiodonly · 12/04/2016 20:39

Because it's a local paper and you can't start every story with 'a Downtown woman'. Well, you can, but those local papers are shit.

It is easier now than it has ever been to stalk people, but that is not the fault of local papers or people like Becky.

I've been harassed by someone. I took his fancy on my way into the office one day. I walked to work, so he followed me and found out where I lived. He'd been doing that for God knows how long before he spoke to me on the Tube one evening, and mentioned it was not in my habit and asked where I was going . He scared the shit out of me but luckily my friend scared him off and he never bothered me again. My details had never been published.

Oooblimey · 12/04/2016 20:40

So you check the number of houses on the street before putting it in Becky? What's your cut off point? Your argument is it makes it more interesting for the 1000 people on that street? Sod the safety of the family who the story is about. You know nothing about the person. What if they've escaped domestic violence? Have a profession that they don't want general public knowing where they live?

fascicle · 12/04/2016 20:49

Because it's a local paper and you can't start every story with 'a Downtown woman'. Well, you can, but those local papers are shit.

Not a compelling answer, especially since the street name is unlikely to open the story. I've just had a look at my local paper online - in each story I looked at, area, rather than street, was given.

limitedperiodonly · 12/04/2016 21:03

You asked for an answer and I gave you one fasicle. I don't care whether you find it compelling. When was the last time you bought a hard copy or looked at your local paper online? Why is that?

People are not stalked because local papers publish their road names. If only local papers had that much circulation...

However, OP should take it up with the school because they shouldn't give that information unless it has been authorised.

limitedperiodonly · 12/04/2016 21:11

You know nothing about the person. What if they've escaped domestic violence? Have a profession that they don't want general public knowing where they live?

That's why OP should take it up with the school Oooblimey. If they give out information, why should the newspaper not print it? And what kind of profession is this? International spy?

LauraChant · 12/04/2016 21:19

People are not stalked because local papers publish their road names.

I point out once again that I got an obscene phone call a few weeks after my full name, picture and road name were published in the local paper, when I was a teenager. Correlation is not causation but it seems quite likely that someone looked at the picture, looked at the road name, looked at the phone directory, and there you go.

oleoleoleole · 12/04/2016 21:23

This is a safeguarding issue, please check with the school if they have given this information to the press, they shouldn't have done.

Therealloislane · 12/04/2016 21:27

I can honestly say I have never ever printed the street of any child I've written an article on.

Even casting my mind back to the most recent edition, one story about a teen who carried out an action for charity just had her name, (full name) age, school & the town she lives in. It also carried her mother's name as it was her mother I spoke to.

In other articles (such as the dedicated primary pages) we have mixed pix from schools across the borough & either have general captions in the photos or first names only.

This is nothing similar but when we report court cases we print the defendant's address: John Brown of Sunnydale Park. (No house number) & his age.

Recently we received a call as there were TWO John Browns living in Sunnydale Park, they'd both been in the same class at school so were the same age. We'd reported the case of John Brown who lived at number 60 (example) & the JB who lived at number 72 called up to complain.... so it goes to show there's always a risk! It caused our editor to argue higher up that we should print street numbers!!

MaureenMLove · 12/04/2016 21:29

Whilst I completely agree it was very wrong of the school and the newspaper to publish your street name, they have both apologised. What else do you want from them?

I assume you don't want a public notice apology in the paper, because that just publicises it again. No point in contacting Ofsted, they will not be interested. School Governors? Maybe, but they'll just say an apology has been issued and we'll look at our policy again blah,blah. Head teacher will say the same.

I just can't see any mileage in pursuing it any further.

limitedperiodonly · 12/04/2016 21:31

True LauraChant. I should have said that people are not stalked only because their details are published in a local newspaper.

I was stalked by someone who spotted me going into work and followed me home which was in walking distance. If I hadn't walked home but had taken a train ride, he might not have bothered.

Lots of people who live near me recognise me and know exactly where I live because I not only live here but am active in my local community. Sticking your head above the parapet in any way, especially if you are a woman, can attract weirdos. That's not simply because your name and road gets published in local newspapers, which a distressingly small number of people read.

catkind · 12/04/2016 21:35

Another one who got dirty phone calls following being identified by name and road in the local paper. A year or so later my sister was in the paper and she got called by presumably the same person (including mention of me). Nasty.
So no I don't think you are being unreasonable OP.

PenguinsAreAce · 12/04/2016 21:41

ICO

Oooblimey · 12/04/2016 21:46

People do do that job Limited And I'm sure they wouldn't want their street putting in the paper. As per my earlier post I work for the police. Over the years I've work on a lot of stuff involving seriously dangerous people. Also as per previous post kids talk, if kid in class tell people parents are a cop then one of those kids that happens to have criminal relations sees the pic and in passing mentions to family that the kid in the papers parent is a cop it could have massive implications. Unfortunately it isn't like Heartbeat in real life!

ParadiseCity · 12/04/2016 21:53

People questioning what sort of job needs to be kept quiet... Unfortunately Isis have it on their 'wish list' for want of a better word to behead a police officers family. Therefore any child of a police officer needs to be protected. This includes schools and newspapers not giving out their names and addresses. It sounds dramatic but is a credible threat unfortunately.

girlfrommars33 · 12/04/2016 22:05

I would reiterate - I worked on local papers for several years. Yes, of course it makes sense to say people are of local interest for the wonderful or not so wonderful things that they do. That's brilliant. I am a big fan of local papers and think they bring a lot to the community. My paper only published addresses for defendants in court - that's for identification and largely so matt Jones at brindle street, Dudley, doesn't get confused with Matt Jones at orchard street, Dudley.

As far as great stories about children, their name, area and school is more that enough for the paper. Hopefully with a pic too!

MeDownSouth · 12/04/2016 22:11

The comments above seem have used full details where it is in the public interest ie. a court case, or the parents have consented. In this case it is neither. People seem to forget we're talking about a child who, no matter their age, is still under the care of 'responsible' adults and those adults should take all of their responsibilities seriously. What should the school do now they've apologised? They should review the breach of the Data Protection Act (you can report it to Information Commisioner's Office), they should review their safeguarding policy and they shouldn't do this again. Like above says, it's too late for this child but could help one for whom this could be more serious.

limitedperiodonly · 12/04/2016 22:26

You seriously think Islamic State wait for the local paper to come out so they can update their hitlist?

Wow! Perhaps we should let all those local reporters know how important they are so they can put in for a pay rise.

limitedperiodonly · 12/04/2016 22:29

I like the idea that IS are the only people keeping local papers going with a subscription though. Chris Morris could make a sequel to Four Lions with it.

Oooblimey · 12/04/2016 22:33

You think you're being witty but your naivety is laughable. I'm just going to roll my eyes and leave you to amuse yourself.

fascicle · 12/04/2016 22:52

limited
You asked for an answer and I gave you one fasicle. I don't care whether you find it compelling.

You gave an answer, but it was inaccurate.

When was the last time you bought a hard copy or looked at your local paper online? Why is that?

A while ago - it's not something I need to do. Probably when my son was photographed/mentioned in it - without his address being published. Relevance?

HeadTilt · 12/04/2016 23:02

Plenty of jobs where you don't want people knowing where you live..

Prison officer, forensic health worker, various police jobs, certain mental health jobs. Loads.

limitedperiodonly · 12/04/2016 23:14

A while ago - it's not something I need to do. Probably when my son was photographed/mentioned in it - without his address being published. Relevance?

The relevance is that you don't read it regularly and neither do others. Yet stalking still happens. Stalkers and terrorists don't rely on local papers and they did it long ago.

They do what local reporters do - which is observing people in their daily habits. But that's what your neighbours do too. Unless you want to live in a world where your neighbours don't notice you until the smell gets bad.

And HeadTilt how are those people you mention supposed to keep their jobs secret from their neighbours and prevent them talking? It's not like your local gazette prints a weekly list of workers they suggest we should target with pitchforks.

JaneHair · 12/04/2016 23:17

Around fifteen years ago, the Brighton Evening Argos published an interview with me, which included me talking about verbal abuse I was getting in the street due to my disability. I was about twenty years old at the time.

And without telling me in advance, they did indeed publish the name of my road in the article. I was furious but nothing I could do about it. Luckily I didn't experience any further harassment because of it, but I can understand how you feel OP.

Oooblimey · 12/04/2016 23:18

how are those people you mention supposed to keep their jobs secret from their neighbours and prevent them talking?

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