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AIBU?

WIBU to go to the papers about someone

170 replies

Sadie789 · 30/05/2020 00:11

I wish I could tell the story as it would help greatly but the details would be far too outing, but I’ve found out something about a friend which has made my blood boil and I don’t think they should get away with it.

Normally I wouldn’t be a “snitch” but this person has a high profile position especially at the moment, and has done something pretty heinous not to mention some other unethical things as a result of the heinous thing.

The reason I’m considering the papers is that this person was interviewed just a few weeks ago and painted as a bit of a local hero, which they absolutely are not.

They’re a friend of a friend so some of the details If they got out would lead back to my friend and then to me.

Has anyone ever gone to the paper about something? How did you feel afterwards? Did you get anonymity?

Just do point out this is not a “neighbour went for a 40 mile cycle in lockdown” type story.

OP posts:

Report

Am I being unreasonable?

233 votes. Final results.

POLL

You are being unreasonable

48%

You are NOT being unreasonable

52%

GreyGardens88 · 30/05/2020 09:41

No one's gonna care if it's not someone famous

Longwhiskers14 · 30/05/2020 09:42

Haven't RTFT, but the bottom line is: can you prove what you're going to tell the paper? Because if it's really contentious the paper's lawyers will want evidence of your claims in case the person sues.

Earnsomething · 30/05/2020 09:44

Isn't proving it the journalist's job? Member of the public gives them the story, then (if it's of sufficient interest) the journalist investigates to see if there is actually a story with sufficient evidence to avoid a libel case?

Longwhiskers14 · 30/05/2020 09:51

Earnsomething If a member of the public makes a serious allegation about a person, any journalist worth their salt would want some kind of evidence to show it's true before pursuing it - ie, dates, times. The retired teacher who reported Cummings for being at Barnard Castle wrote down the number plate which checked out as being his, for example. My point is, if OP rings up a paper and says "I know so-and-so did this", saying she heard it from a friend of a friend isn't enough.

thatsallineed · 30/05/2020 09:52

There's a big difference between 'in the public interest' and 'of interest to the public'.

One is for the general good of the nation, the other is 'Isn't it awful' gossip.

Which is it?

Earnsomething · 30/05/2020 09:53

Inthink it would depend what the story is. If it's big enough and OP sowed the seed, yes the easy thing for the journalist to provide it would be to get evidence from OP but if that's not possible they could still make their own enquiries.

Earnsomething · 30/05/2020 09:54

To prove...

Longwhiskers14 · 30/05/2020 09:55

Earnsomething They could, but I read OP's opening comment as her offering herself up as the source for the story, rather than giving an anonymous tip off. If it's the latter, then yes the journalist would have to gather evidence if they thought it was genuine.

Moondust001 · 30/05/2020 10:00

I couldn't be bothered to read your whole set of excuses. You claim in your OP that this person is a friend. You aren't much of a friend, are you? Have you considered being an enemy instead. You seem better suited to that role.

NoProblem123 · 30/05/2020 10:00

Please let it be about Phillip Scholfield

Peapod29 · 30/05/2020 10:01

Just leave the story here op. It will soon be picked up by the Mail.

SockYarn · 30/05/2020 10:01

I'm sure I saw Jason Leitch in Waitrose last week. He wasn't doing anything illegal though.

TitianaTitsling · 30/05/2020 10:03

Well given that it's 'heinous' you are no longer treating them as a friend op? So if the story breaks and you are no longer talking to them will they not guess it's you?

Youngatharte · 30/05/2020 10:06

I’d go to the papers if I was sure it couldn’t be traced back to me

SebandAlice · 30/05/2020 10:11

No I would never go to the papers with the intention of shaming some one as that would make me a horrible person

DinghyCalledDignity · 30/05/2020 10:11

Why don't people read the OP? It's not a friend, it's a friend of a friend.

Sadie789 · 30/05/2020 10:13

I think it’s interesting lots of posters don’t think something is in the public interest unless the person is famous.

OP posts:

3cats · 30/05/2020 10:15

I’m a bit confused but if it’s about AS, then half of Scotland have stories about what a dodgy bastard he is. I think so soon after the court case, journalists would be very wary about publishing any stories about him.

Sadie789 · 30/05/2020 10:15

And the thing the person has done means I would not want to be associated with them any longer.

That does happen you know. People can do things that change your opinion of them. They were never a close friend but now I would steer clear of them completely. Say if they were invited to the same dinner or something.

OP posts:

Sadie789 · 30/05/2020 10:15

It’s really not about AS.

If it was I would have absolutely no qualms about shopping him in!

OP posts:

StoorieHoose · 30/05/2020 10:22

If Sadie had anything on NS she would have posted it all over this site. It's probably JLeitch or Jeannie. Just go to the BBC - Sarah Smith will probably be interested

onalongsabbatical · 30/05/2020 10:27

@Sadie789, correct me if I’ve misunderstood. You have information about someone who is already being investigated for something, on a further act done by this person as a result of the previous thing that’s already being investigated, and you don’t want them to get away with the further thing.
If I’ve got that right, I can’t see why you wouldn’t just contact the investigating police and say you have information on this case that they would want. Why the papers?

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WanderingMilly · 30/05/2020 10:27

If I were you I would go to the press. It is possible to do it and ask to remain anonymous. Make sure you have proof which may be concrete but could also be facts which can be checked (eg. dates, times, emails and so on).

I was once in a position to do this years ago...I flunked it. I wish to God I hadn't, a court case years later involving government officials should have had extra evidence but I thought I should protect someone. Now I wish I hadn't, I was so wrong.

VenusTiger · 30/05/2020 10:32

I agree with @onalongsabbatical

Dillo10 · 30/05/2020 10:39

Hate to be so dramatic but... Only do it if you are comfortable with the press and online public tearing this person apart. I would feel uncomfortable doing this after someone like Caroline Flack was driven to suicide (not to mention many others)
I have no idea what this person is, perhaps it's so bad that they don't deserve any consideration at all. But how could you live with yourself if it did end terribly?
Just a thought anyway.

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