Photographic memory
Reach plc
, Issue 1636
He urged them to listen to a new Daily Mirror podcast series, "Back from the Brink", saying it featured "Mirror photographer Rowan Griffith, whose assignment in Afghanistan in 2010 ended in life-changing injuries, speaking about his experiences in episode four".
Rowan Griffiths (with an "s") is indeed a Mirror photographer who has travelled to a number of war zones for the paper – but as long-serving Mirror staff are all too aware (and the podcast itself made clear), it was his fellow photographer Phil Coburn who was severely injured by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan, in an attack which also killed Sunday Mirror defence correspondent Rupert Hamer.
Snapper judgement
As Coburn explained to colleagues in his own rather pointed email the following day: "Relatively recent Reach employees may not have heard of me as I am rarely in the office.... I have been a photographer with the Mirror for 22 years. I was the photographer who was in the US Marine MRAP in Helmand province, Afghanistan when it was hit by an IED. I lost my lower legs and had a burst fracture in my spine and was alongside reporter Rupert Hamer and a young Marine when they both died of catastrophic injuries.
"I am writing this not to embarrass anyone but, as I am sure that you will understand, I could not let such a mistake go unheeded from not only a personal point of view but also for the record and for the factual inaccuracies which I feel the need to correct.
"The Mirror, to my knowledge, has lost two reporters on assignment. One was Ian Fyfe who jumped with paratroopers into Normandy on D-Day in 1944 and the other was Rupert Hamer... These are both incidents which I think everyone who works for the Mirror/Reach should be aware of. Facts and accuracy are important in journalism to say the least."
Next issue on sale: 4th December 2024
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POT OF GOLD
The Mail used to take pot-shots at cannabis-derived CBD products – but since its publisher’s venture capital arm invested in a CBD producer it has mellowed.
STRICTLY MIS-STEP
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NOSE FOR NEWS
Michael Gove is coming up with innovative commissions as Spectator editor, including one article headlined "Why blokes love coke"…
MOMENTARY SLAPPS
In a letter to the News Media Association, the prime minister reiterated his government’s intention to outlaw strategic lawsuits against public participation.
EDITING THE ED
The Times’s distaste for reader feedback has grown to the point that now no criticism of editor Tony Gallagher can make it on to the paper’s website.
STATE OF DENIAL
A book on sportswashing by an Independent football writer has led to awkward times at the Indy, which is 30 percent owned by a Saudi businessman.
BUDGET HACKWATCH
We outline the winners and losers in the first Labour budget for 14 years – according to the Street of Shame’s finest, at least.
OH! CAROLE
Observer writer Carole Cadwalladr made alarming errors while warning against the sale of the Sunday title to James Harding’s online outfit Tortoise.
HARD-HITTING HACKERY
A sun editorial railed against the "thug" MP Mike Amesbury for punching a constituent – so what does that make several of its own highest-profile figures?
EACH-WAY BET
The Daily Telegraph recently explored the harm caused by the gambling industry – but its own website has a page dedicated to betting.
