Back in the days when people got their newspapers delivered to the door and consumed it over their morning coffee, today’s news used to be tomorrow’s trash; disposable and easily forgotten.

But with most newspapers keeping articles on their website indefinitely, the need to remove a newspaper article from the internet and Google has become crucial. A negative online article can wreak havoc on your personal life and ruin your career, even if the article is wrong, out of date, or no longer relevant.

You also don’t need to be a celebrity or politician to have a reputation worth protecting. In the days of viral content and public shaming, private individuals can unwittingly become public figures, making it imperative to know how to remove a newspaper article online.

The good news is that the law protects against unlawful attacks on your reputation and privacy.

An effective online clean-up is likely to consist of a combination of removals directly from the source and removals of search results from Google.

1. Complaining directly to the newspaper to remove a newspaper article from the internet:

Most newspapers offer details of their complaints process on their website. You may be able to get an article removed from the source, especially if the article:

a. Is defamatory and false.
b. Publishes private information about you.
c. Breaches your intellectual property rights, for example by publishing a photo from your Instagram account.
d. Breaches their editorial guidelines or a regulatory code such as the ISPO Editors’ Code.

Newspapers are often very reluctant to edit or remove an article after it has been published. Different jurisdictions have different laws, and there are a number of legal defenses that they can rely on to keep articles online and will rigorously defend legal claims if they feel they will win in Court.

You also need to make sure that you bring a complaint before any relevant limitation period expires. This can make it difficult to complain about archived content.

It is important to put your best case forward. While many people opt to complain on their behalf, hiring a lawyer to advise on the strength of your arguments and advocate for you is more likely to result in a win.

In some cases, newspapers may refuse to remove an article. Sometimes, bringing a legal claim is inadvisable or impractical because:

a. There are no strong grounds, for example, if the newspaper has a good legal defense, or the article was published in a jurisdiction where it is tough to sue successfully.
b. Suing is a risky, arduous, and expensive process.
c. Suing about an article can inadvertently raise more publicity for the original article (referred to as the Streisand effect).

This is not, however, the end of the road.

2. Removing newspaper articles from Google to remove a newspaper article from the internet:

Where a newspaper refuses to remove an article about you, it may be possible to get it removed from Google, using the right to be forgotten. While the article will technically still be online, removing a negative news article from Google is a great way to reduce its reach.

The right to be forgotten (also referred to as the right of erasure) gives individuals the right to request the removal of information that is inaccurate or has become out of date or irrelevant. Knowing how to remove a newspaper article online can be particularly helpful in addressing:

a. Websites that contain libelous information but are outside the limitation period.
b. Websites about past arrests and convictions, particularly where convictions are ‘spent’ under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
c. Websites that cannot be removed at the source but could be taken off Google.

While every case turns on its facts, usually, it is more straightforward to require Google to remove newspaper articles from search results for your name than to get a newspaper article removed or amended at the source.

Over 90% of all search queries worldwide are carried out on Google, and removing a website from Google can help to mitigate the impact of information that you do not want to be in the public domain.

How we can help:

Search Engine Removals provides an effective solution to minimize the impact of private or negative websites by removing them from Google search results. Through our expert services, we can help individuals regain control over their online reputation and personal privacy. By eliminating unwanted content from search engine listings, we ensure that private information or negative websites no longer appear prominently, reducing their visibility and potential harm. Our dedicated team works diligently to safeguard your online presence, providing peace of mind and allowing you to curate a positive digital footprint. If you’re looking to remove a newspaper article from the internet, contact us today.