Apology to Graeme Smith

The press ombudsman has upheld a complaint by former Proteas captain Graeme Smith about our report "Divorce by SMS: How Biff lied to his wife" (March 8).

Ombudsman Johan Retief directed us to apologise to Smith for stating allegations as fact in headlines, a Twitter feed and the Mampara column.

The allegations in question are that he advised his wife, Morgan Deane, via SMS that he was getting a divorce, that he lied to her, and that he had a secret divorce plan.

Retief also found that the posters suggested wrongdoing on Smith's part without supporting evidence.

He found that the allegations unnecessarily harmed Smith's dignity and reputation.

Retief directed us to apologise for and retract the statements, as we now do.

Visit presscouncil.org.za for the full finding