London tabloids jostle for ‘test-tube’ scoop

Press, 15 July 1978, Page 8

London tabloids jostle for ‘test-tube’ scoop

JOHN ROSS, in London "Ask the ‘Daily Mail’.” This was the stock reply this week for those inquiring about the condition of Mrs Lesley Brown, expectant mother of the world s first (“test tube baby.” . Mrs Brown, who- is 32, is due to give birth this weekend at Oldham General Hospital in Lancashire. Journalists who inquired about the condition of Mrs Brown were told to contact the “Daily Mail’s” syndication department. Even harassed hospital officials who wanted to check her condition — she is now expected to have the baby by Caesarian section — were ad- ‘ vised to ask the “Daily Mai!.” It had reportedly paid $540,000 for exclusive, rights to the story of the birth of the world’s first baby conceived outside the womb. The most incredible aspect of an amazing story has j been the frenzied attempts ! of London’s tabloid news- : papers to outdo each other ! in tlie race to be “first, i On Tuesday the “Daily

Express” devoted its whole front page to an “exclusive” story on the pending birth: on 'Wednesday came the “Mail’s world exclusive” on the same subject, naming the , mother for the first time. Also on ' Wednesday, it; was revealed that Associated Newspapers (which publishes; the “Daily Mail”) had paid; $540,000 for exclusive rights to the story. Then came reports that the “Mail” had stationed guards outside Mrs Brown’s ward, to ensure that no rival journalist could interview or photograph her. The Health Department, however, on Wednesday announced that information on Mrs Brown and the baby’s (progress would be available ‘to all the news media., and (frowned on the hospital’s ! policy of passing telephone ’ inquiries on to Associated Newspapers. Since news of the pending ! birth was released, reporters, (photographers, and camera crews have invaded the small | country hospital and the - chairman of the local health authoritx. Mr S. Hamburger. ; said the'hospital was having

great difficulty tn maintam- < ing normal services because of the “enormous numbers” of journalists seeking admis- ' sion. , The authority could not ; become involved in the finJancial or publicity aspects of lithe birth, and whatever information was available I would be given to “all the , media or none,” he said. Meanwhile, Fleet Street's : popular press continued with , the procession of “exclusives” on Thursday, with the ■ "Sun” and the “Express” . both printing the “first picture” on their front pages, .■and the more respectable .1 “Times,” “Daily Telegraph” II and “Guardian” reporting the . growing acrimony among the !.tabloids in gleeful detail. [I Doctors already know the ;!sex of the “test tube” baby, ; still in its mother’s womb. I-but the mother says she ' wants to wait to find out • I herself. ,j “I have begged them not ilto tell me,” Mrs Brown said I in a newspaper interview. “After waiting for years for i this wonderful thing to hap- . pen. I do not want to be ’.cheated of the final thrill.” I