Securing a National Newspaper Retraction for a Charity Supporting Trauma Victims

Challenge

A charity providing support for trauma victims became the subject of a prominent and damaging report in a national Sunday newspaper, alleging inappropriate spending. Despite the charity subsequently being cleared of any wrongdoing, the newspaper refused to retract the original story, leaving inaccurate reporting in the public domain and causing a significant impact on the charity's fundraising efforts.

Solution

The charity engaged Alder to secure a swift and proportionate correction and help restore its reputation. Support included:

- Rapid assessment of the complaint and the most effective route to resolution
- Deploying specialist knowledge of the press complaints process to engage directly and effectively with the newspaper's legal department
- Framing the case for correction in a way that was clear, evidence-based and difficult to resist

Outcome

- The Sunday newspaper issued a full retraction, with a clear and prominent correction published within days of Alder's engagement
- Inaccurate reporting was removed from the public record, protecting the charity's standing with donors and supporters
- The charity was able to move forward with its fundraising activity and reputation intact