C4 'was right to show Diana photos'

Princes William and Harry, in a letter written by their private secretary, urged Channel 4 not to broadcast images of the aftermath of the Paris crash. But Channel 4 went ahead with the documentary, Diana: The Witnesses In The Tunnel, in June, saying it was in the wider public interest.

Ofcom said it received 62 complaints about the documentary, which looked at the role of the paparazzi in the accident in the Paris tunnel.

Some viewers of the programme said they found the photographs, taken in and around the tunnel on the night of the 1997 accident, disturbing. Others objected to the fact that Channel 4 had not agreed to remove the images following a request from the Princes.

Viewers said Channel 4 had been insensitive and disrespectful to the wishes of the families of the crash victims.

Many argued that the controversial images were unnecessary for the documentary and that the programme added nothing new. Some said it was not in the public interest to show the images.

But Ofcom said the photographs were integral to the nature of the documentary. It said the programme was shown after the watershed and viewers were warned about the photographs.

Ofcom said the photographs were needed for the documentary to examine the question of whether the paparazzi had caused the crash by chasing Diana's car and hindering medical help.

It concluded: "In relation to the use of the photographs taken by the paparazzi, and those taken by other witnesses at the crash scene, Ofcom noted that these photographs were integral to the nature and editorial narrative of the programme. They were used as evidence to challenge initial reports that the photographers either caused the crash or obstructed those trying to give medical and other help to the crash victims.

"The programme also explored the wider story relating to the intended use of the crash pictures by the British press, prior to news of Princess Diana's death. Both of these issues were clearly a matter of public interest."