Guardian report on Geraldine Newman murder

[IShouldBeSoLurky]

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/feb/03/man-suspected-killing-estranged-wife-two-children-jailed-assault

So this report confirms that Geraldine's estranged husband is believed to have killed her and their two children, and that a body has been found that's believed to be his. It also confirms that he was jailed in 2013 for assaulting her.

And then they've got the Samaritans' details at the end.

Now I'm sure it's editorial policy to include that in any article about suicide, and I'd normally support that 100%, but it's wrong in a story of this nature, surely?

"Murdered your wife and kids? About to jump off a cliff so you won't have to face justice? There are people who care about you and are here to listen."

Just me?

Focussing on the perpetrator instead of the victim is something most newspapers in uk are changing.
Focussing on the perpetrator-as-victim is shoddy and I think the guardian got the balance wrong here.

Anyone thought to send a link to this thread to the reader's editor?

^The readers’ editors are independent internal ombudsmen and can be contacted as follows:

Chris Elliott - Guardian readers’ editor
[email protected]
Guardian readers’ editor page^

I emailed the readers' editor shortly after I posted the thread, Loraline Had an auto-reply but no substantive response yet.

OR Email or tweet the Guardian's new editor-in-chief - a woman, Katharine Viner, @kathviner

That's a good idea.

I think it IS shocking that the Mail managed to research that the poor woman had been living in fear of him, was petrified of him doing it again, however, the police had removed assistance etc, etc. while the Guardian didn't mention any of that, yet instead chose to devote five paragraphs (out of a short article) to an acquaintance who is virtually protesting the murderers innocence.

Yes, painful as it is to admit it, the mail's coverage was better.

I agree regarding the Mail's report being much better. It's a sad moment for independent journalism.

The readers' editor would be a bit hit than Kath. He's more likely to take the time to look into the complaint and can also give recommendations back to Kath on policy/style guide issues.