Irish Independent sent reporter to child's funeral after parents asked for privacy - iMediaEthics

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An Irish family’s four-year-old daughter, Georgia Anne Callan, drowned in a pool during a family vacation. The girl’s parents told the Irish Independent it wanted privacy at the funeral, but the Independent ended up sending a reporter to cover the girl’s funeral.

The Irish Independent published an Aug. 18 apology that read:

“Independent.ie carried a news report from the funeral of Georgia Anne Callan, on Saturday, August 11th, 2018.

“In a statement issued to this website before the funeral, Georgia’s parents Emeline Callan and Jacqueline Russell paid tribute to their daughter and requested that their privacy be respected.

“A reporter, who was not aware of this request, was assigned to cover the funeral.

“We recognise that our presence and subsequent report of the funeral caused the family further upset.

“We apologise to Ms Callan, Ms Russell, their families and loved ones for the distress.

As a gesture of goodwill, we will be making a donation to two charities nominated by the family.

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Irish Independent sent reporter to child’s funeral after parents asked for privacy

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