Publication Retracts False Claims and Agrees to Pay Legal Costs
The Daily Mail's online publication, Mail Online, has issued a full apology and agreed to cover the legal costs of Dr Ann Kaplan Mulholland after publishing a false story about her conduct. The incident stemmed from an article and accompanying YouTube video posted on social media in May, which inaccurately portrayed the Real Housewives personality as being rude and arrogant towards a waiter during an event in Cannes.
The Source of the Misinformation
The false allegations originated from a video created by a prominent social media influencer. This influencer's video provided commentary on an original clip featuring Dr Mulholland. Crucially, the influencer failed to recognise that Dr Mulholland's original video was a staged satirical sketch, filmed with the full knowledge and consent of everyone involved, including the individual portrayed as the waiter.
As a result, Mail Online's subsequent report, which claimed Dr Mulholland had been disrespectful to service staff, was fundamentally incorrect. The publication has now acknowledged this error, stating it has removed the erroneous content from its platforms.
Formal Apology and Resolution
In a public statement, Mail Online expressed its regret for the damage and distress caused to Dr Mulholland by the inaccurate reporting. As a formal recognition of its error, the publication has not only issued a direct apology but has also agreed to meet Dr Mulholland's legal costs.
The publication has also directed readers to its official channels for reporting inaccuracies or making formal complaints. These include an email address, corrections@mailonline.co.uk, and a dedicated complaints form available on its website, in line with the rules set by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO).
