The Australian Press Council (APC) has ruled The Daily Telegraph used "gravely inaccurate, unfair and offensive" language in its reporting of aslyum seekers coming to Australia by boat.
A front-page article, published on 26 November 2011, read: "OPEN THE FLOODGATES - Exclusive: Thousands of boat people to invade NSW", accompanied by the words: "Thousands of boat people will be released into Sydney's suburbs as the government empties detention centres".
Readers were then directed to further stories published across two inside pages, with the headings "Open the floodgates" and "Detainee deluge for Sydney".
The media watchdog said the language used, particularly the word "invade", holds "clear connotations of forceful occupation".
The Daily Telegraph did not fight to defend its use of the word "invade", but rejected the broader claims and said the language used was not "inaccurate or unfair", and that its readers could decide for themselves whether it was appropriate or not.
The News Limited masthead also stated that details of the likely numbers of asylum seekers being released into the community were included in the articles, and it believed the State Government's briefing note was fearful of whether government services would be able to cope with the sudden increase in asylum seekers.
Despite noting that the articles themselves "conveyed a more measured assessment and did not breach the Council's principles", the APC has concluded the headlines did not reflect the content in the articles, and that complaints had sufficent grounds upon which to be upheld.
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