Media
Sven Pichal. — © belga
Ex-radio presenter Sven Pichal, who is suspected of possessing and distributing images of child sexual abuse, has filed a complaint with the Journalism Council against the weekly magazine Hello everyone and the newspaper The last news. His lawyer John Maes reported this in a press release.
On the cover of Hello everyone This week it was reported that Sven Pichal was absent from his brother’s funeral, which according to his lawyer is not correct. “The funeral could be followed by the public via a livestream and everyone could see from the images that Sven Pichal carried the coffin of the deceased together with his brothers and attended the entire service.”
The claim that he was absent was also not checked with Pichal’s circle or his lawyers. Pichal has filed a complaint with the Journalism Council. Not just against Hello everyonebut also against The last newsbecause the newspaper has the cover of Hello everyone and therefore also published the false news fact as an advertisement for the weekly magazine on its front page.
According to his lawyer, Pichal regrets that his brother’s memory is being used to build an integral article, starting from a falsehood.
Apologies
Hello everyone has since posted a correction and apology on his Facebook page, but Pichal’s defense believes this is insufficient. The Facebook page has insufficient digital reach and followers are again shown the cover with the incorrect claim. “It also does not detract from the journalistic error made by both Hello everyone as The last news.”
Sven Pichal is assisted in the sexual offense case by lawyer Walter Damen, but because he is a columnist at Hello everyonethe ex-radio presenter is assisted by lawyer John Maes for this complaint.
