Why are people boycotting The Sun?
Outpouring of disgust after tabloid prints sensitive story about cricketer Ben Stokes
There have been renewed calls to boycott The Sun newspaper after England cricketer Ben Stokes described a front-page article about a family tragedy 31 years ago as “disgusting” and “immoral”.
“Today the Sun has seen fit to publish extremely painful, sensitive and personal details concerning events in the private lives of my family, going back more than 31 years,” he wrote on Twitter, after the tabloid’s revealed that his half-brother and sister were shot dead in 1988.
“It is hard to find words that adequately describe such low and despicable behaviour, disguised as journalism. I cannot conceive of anything more immoral, heartless or contemptuous to the feelings and circumstances of my family,” continued Stokes, the favourite to be named BBC Sports Personality of the Year after his starring role in England’s World Cup victory this summer.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Following his statement, he received widespread support online, with the hashtag #dontbuythesun quickly trending on Twitter. The calls for a boycott conjured memories of when the tabloid faced the wrath of Merseyside for its insensitive reporting of the Hillsborough disaster.
Hacked Off, which campaigns for media accountability, told The Guardian: “This is an appalling invasion of privacy with no public interest justification. We have been told repeatedly by newspaper editors that ‘everything has changed’ since the Leveson report seven years ago. It is abundantly clear that nothing has changed.”
In a statement, a spokeswoman said: “The Sun has the utmost sympathy for Ben Stokes and his mother but it is only right to point out the story was told with the cooperation of a family member who supplied details, provided photographs and posed for pictures.��
Stokes was at the helm for the match-winning innings as England's men won their first Cricket World Cup at Lord's in July.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
When is an offensive social media post a crime?
The Explainer UK legal system walks a 'difficult tightrope' between defending free speech and prosecuting hate speech
By The Week UK Published
-
Women are getting their own baseball league again
In the Spotlight The league is on track to debut in 2026
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Giant TVs are becoming the next big retail commodity
Under the Radar Some manufacturers are introducing TVs over 8 feet long
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Flying too close to The Sun: do newspaper endorsements matter any more?
Today's Big Question Power of the press has diminished but can still set the terms of the debate and signify direction of travel
By The Week UK Published
-
Huw Edwards named as presenter at centre of BBC crisis
In Depth News reader’s wife, Vicky Flind, says he will remain in hospital for foreseeable future
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Free app access for The Week’s subscribers during Royal Mail strikes
Speed Read If you have a subscription to The Week magazine you can read the digital edition on your tablet or phone
By The Week Staff Published
-
Sienna Miller and The Sun: the scandal explained
feature Actress claims tabloid illegally sought medical records during her pregnancy
By The Week Staff Published
-
Comic Relief to end ‘white saviour’ celebrity trips to Africa
Speed Read Charity’s appeal videos described by critics as ‘poverty porn’ and ‘devoid of dignity’
By Chas Newkey-Burden Last updated
-
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to star in ‘fly-on-the-wall’ Netflix reality show
Speed Read Former minister accuses couple of ‘exploiting’ royal links with big-bucks deal
By Joe Evans Last updated
-
Royal officials to ‘scrutinise’ Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s $150m Netflix deal
Speed Read Duke and Duchess of Sussex have inked agreement to produce documentaries and films for the streaming service
By Joe Evans Last updated
-
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle pitch mystery project idea to Hollywood
Speed Read The Sussex royals have been shopping their concept around tinseltown since June
By Aaron Drapkin Published