Journalist claims to have been defamed

Express Advocate journalist Ms Alison Branley has claimed she has been defamed in an article headed "Wales shocked by newspaper article" in the March 12 edition of Peninsula News.

In a letter to the editor of Peninsula News, her solicitor Mr Patrick Campion of Cropper Parkhill said that the article was "seriously defamatory" and imputed "that our client behaved in an unprofessional way and did a disservice to the community in publishing an article concerning Ms Debra Wales".

"It is completely untrue that our client behaved in an unprofessional way," he said.

"Our client interviewed Ms Wales and accurately reported what Ms Wales said.

"The issue of a possible conflict of interest was, in the circumstances, a very real one.

"That issue together with Ms Wales' comments on the issue were matters of substantial public interest.

"Our client accurately reported Ms Wales' denial and why she believed there was no conflict of interest.

"Ms Wales may not have liked the focus of the article but that does not make our client's behaviour unprofessional.

"It is noted in the context of unprofessional conduct, that your article states that our client was not available for comment.

"On our instructions, no effort was made to contact our client.

"There were three phone numbers on which she could have been contacted, each with voice mail.

"There is no record whatsoever of any attempt to make contact with her.

"It is of course a very serious matter to publicly accuse a professional person of being guilty of unprofessional conduct.

"Our client has suffered and continues to suffer significant injury to her professional reputation and hurt to feelings as a direct consequence of your publication."

Ms Branley requested "the urgent publication of an apology and retraction".

Peninsula News editor Mr Mark Snell said that he had the highest regard for the professionalism of Ms Branley, who is a former Peninsula News reporter.

"Ms Branley was an excellent employee, who always exhibited the highest professional standards.

"We are sorry if Ms Branley feels hurt as a result of our article.

"I believe her work on this occasion is a shining example of those high standards, for which she should be congratulated.

"As Mr Campion says, Ms Wales may not have liked the focus of the article but that does not make Ms Branley's behaviour unprofessional.

"Nor do I believe that our publication of Ms Wales' assertion carries the imputation that we believe it is true."

Mr Snell said Peninsula News had contacted the Express Advocate and spoken to the editor when Ms Branley was not available.

"We expected the editor would have left a message for her."

Mr Snell said he would welcome the opportunity to publish any further comments that Ms Branley or the Express Advocate wished to make.

Letter, March 21 Patrick Campion, Cropper Parkhill