WIBU to go to the papers about someone

[Sadie789]

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.

[Gwenhwyfar]

I don't know anything interesting, but have thought myself what I would do in such a situation and came up with sending an anonymous letter in an envelope, maybe post marked from somewhere else (outside lockdown) or creating a fake email and sending from that email, BUT outside lockdown I might do this from a cyber cafe not too close to me so that the IP address isn't traced back to me. I think a journalist would take something with no name less seriously. I have no idea if this would actually work.
Those saying the journalists need proof - yes, I agree, but if OP gives enough indications surely the journalists can search for the proof themselves.

[StayinginSummer]

I think you need to consult a solicitor and see if you can log a complaint with the police?

[Gwenhwyfar]

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

So if people had told the truth about Jimmy Savile they would have been horrible people?
The people who told the truth about Dominic Cummings? Less serious, but still absolutely in the public interest, although in many ways I wish I didn't know what he'd done as it makes me feel a fool for keeping lockdown.

[Abouttimemum]

You could just do it anonymously and let the journalist do the digging. I used to love an investigation. Although as I’ve just said on another thread, journalism is shite in this country currently so getting a decent journo to put some effort in to uncovering something depends on whether it lands on the right person’s desk.

[DomDoesWotHeWants]

I don't understand why you would do this. It will only cause hurt to the person involved's family as well.

[JaniceBattersby]

So much utter bollocks about journalists on here. Journalists do not give sources up. Sources are sacrosanct.

Much of the time, they wouldn’t even need to take your real name. If it’s a tip like ie ‘The queen is in Australia. Here are her flight details.” Then they would have no need to involve you at all.

If the story is “Bob Jones is being tried for rape. I’m his victim. I’d like to speak about his crimes, anonymously,” then he’s the journalist would need your name but they’d never publish it (and would only publish the story after the trial).

If the story is about your brother, who has done something terrible, then your name might be linked to him as a family member In any story written by any number of publications (ie Dom Cummings sister has been dragged into the story about him a bit) but you still wouldn’t ever, ever be named as the source.

I have stopped writing down the names of my sources in any electronic format whatsoever now. They’re either in my head or on a piece of paper inside a book on my bookshelf. No details linked to them.

[CovidicusRex]

I’m really struggling to understand what kind of heinous act isn’t a crime.

[EveryoneLoves09876]

If people did this thing more often it would bring disgusting things to justice more quickly. E.g. Jimmy Saville

It's a brave and difficult thing to do.

[HappyHammy]

Am i right in thinking that you know someone who knows someone else who most people wont have heard of. This person was investigated by the police for something then did something else that harmed someone which is possibly related to the first incident which has made you angry and you feel its your duty to name and shame them but you don't want anyone to know it was you that went to the papers. If its that serious your duty is to report it to the police. I guess it will take the heat off DC if its another covid related drama.

[EveryoneLoves09876]

Also if you've already found out isn't there a chance someone else could so not just you as the source?

[SurferRona]

@JaniceBattersby you should do an AMA! Story for (slight) derail OP.

[Crunchymum]

Have you got Nicola Sturgeon's hairdresser on record as saying they have been cutting her hair?

[JellyfishandShells]

@thatsallineed

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?

This is the thing that the red tops in particular ignore.

[Dotty1970]

Omg, I'm sorry but just tell us who it is and what they've done. purrrlease.
We won't say anything.

[GoFiguire]

Was it Colonel Mustard in the Dining Room with the lead piping?

[LittleMissRedHat]

@JaniceBattersby

I am glad you are one of the "good guys" of journalism and protect your sources, but it is a dangerous statement to say "Journalists do not give sources up. Sources are sacrosanct." in case someone believes it. You simply cannot speak for every journalist. Not all journalists have your integrity or ethics. Journalism, just like every profession has it's gossips, it's "If I tell you, you have to promise not to tell anyone else's...", and some downright unethical people. Sad but true.

[blacksax]

@Sadie789

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

That's because most people don't understand what "In the public interest" means.

[Sally872]

Make sure you aren't going to upset the victim before making anything more public.

[hazelnutlatte]

My brother once spoke to a journalist 'friend' about something that happened to him at work. The 'friend' told another journalist and the story appeared on the front page of a tabloid newspaper a few days later. My brother lost his job and ultimately it cost him his career as he lost confidence in his profession. If this story could lead to you being identified OP please think of the possible consequences.

[ragged]

What KingSheathBelle said is good.

So Brett Kavanagh... thought he was just horsing around, but really he was a sex pest.
Clarence Thomas, thought he was just "being a man" but really he was a sex pest.

I loathe idea of 'reporting' anyone: but it's very upsetting when anyone is revealed they have got away with chronic fraud, violence, bullying, harassment, stalking ... when they could have been stopped if only folk had spoken up early.

[nowornever1]

If your doing it to be malicious becare as karma is a bitch!

[Jux]

I agree that you should apply the @if I don't act' test as suggested by KingSheatheBelle. Could more people be hurt if this information is kept under wraps as well as the people who already have been?

@Sleightofmind or @JaniceBattersby what sort of effect would using an anonymous email to contact the chosen journalist be likely to have?

[ChilliCheese123]

The media in this country are disgusting, if you want to associate yourself with that then go ahead. I’d be prepared to lose friends though. I would lose all respect for you if I knew you

[onalongsabbatical]

The media in this country are disgusting All of them? What a ridiculous assertion.

[TitianaTitsling]

Op has said it's covid related so am assuming nothing on the scale of sexual abuse/assault. Also as is not a crime is it ops belief that the person has broken guidelines? If Op ever comes back, who initially reported them to the police, and why didn't they go to the papers?