Press complaint rejected

COMMUNITY Hygiene Concern (CHC) of Isleworth, Middlesex, objects to the article 'Scientist warns of 'hysteria' over lice' in the Independent on Sunday, 20 September 1992. The complaint, to the Press Complaints Commission, is that it is biased against the organisation, misrepresenting the campaign and its 'bug-busting day' as promoting unnecessary use of pesticides in preventing head louse infestation.

The complainants say the emphasis of the campaign is on detection, but also suggests various treatments, some of which do not use insecticides. They say that the article was not sufficiently researched nor balanced, and that CHC has not been given a fair opportunity to reply, in breach of Clause 3 of the Code of Practice.

The complainants had written a corrective letter for publication. This was edited to just under half its length. The facts that the emphasis of the campaign was on detection, that several treatments were suggested, not just pesticides, and that they offered education materials were included in the letter as published.

The letter did not include the scientific view, supported by CHC, that the number of repeat treatments needed was not allowed for in statistics and that school nurses have missed cases.

The Commission nevertheless considered that the article made clear the complainant's view of the prevalence of the problem and it was not for them to judge which scientist's views were to be preferred. The Commission believes that the main points which the complainants made in their letter were covered either by the article or in the published letter.

The complaint is rejected.