Networks apologise to family of Molly Lord

Seven Network and WIN Television have publicly apologised to the family of Molly Lord, the 13-year-old who was killed in a quad bike accident near Wollongong last July.

Crikey reports both broadcasters and the Illawarra Mercury have apologised following legal action by the family, which was ordered to mediation.

The family had sought apologies and justice ever since alleging Seven and the Mercury trespassed on their family farm, Newton Park, to take pictures. They have also campaigned for ‘Molly’s Law’ to make it illegal for media to intrude on grieving families.

WIN Television read an apology in a news bulletin last week while Seven has published an apology on Facebook:

WIN TV
Apology to Lord Family
WIN regrets the manner in which it covered the tragedy of Molly Lord’s death. In particular, it regrets that the coverage upset the Lord family and friends, and it offers its sincere apologies.

WIN acknowledges it should have shown more sensitivity in its coverage, especially elements of footage shown in the broadcast, which WIN accepts caused great distress to the Lords.

In light of statements made by Mr and Mrs Lord since the tragedy, WIN intends to ensure that its training program for journalists and camera operators reporting fatal incidents emphasises the need to consider carefully the situation of any family affected by the incident.

Seven News (Facebook page)
The proceedings brought against Channel Seven by Mr and Mrs Lord, parents of Molly Lord who died in a tragic accident last year, have been settled on confidential terms to the satisfaction of the parties. Seven has offered, and the Lords have accepted, Seven’s expressions of condolence and sympathy. Seven regrets the distress which the publicity about Molly’s death caused the Lord family.