Seven West apologises for wrongfully identifying man over Cleo Smith’s abduction

The online story published by 7 News which named and showed the face of the wrong man. Credit:7 News

A Seven West media platform has apologised for wrongfully identifying an Aboriginal man as the suspect in custody over the abduction of Cleo Smith.

Around midday on Wednesday, 7NEWS.com.au published an article online with two images of a person they wrongfully identified as the 36-year-old Carnarvon man West Australian Police had taken into custody hours earlier.

The Kerry Stokes-owned platform had taken the images from the man’s Facebook page, publishing his name in the pictures’ captions.

Just before midnight Wednesday the media outlet published an apology online.

“Earlier on Wednesday 7NEWS wrongly showed images of a man that were incorrectly labelled as the person under arrest over the disappearance of Cleo Smith,” the statement read.

“These were removed promptly, but 7NEWS apologises for the error.”

Carnarvon community members were quick to point out the error on social media and Pilbara-based First Nations broadcaster Ngaarda Media slammed the damaging mistake.

“A man who has been wrongly accused has been harassed online due to misinformation,” they posted.

“Because people jump the gun when they look up Facebook, they put in [his name] straight away.”

Ngaarda Media said the wrongly identified man has contacted the police.

7 News published online a report on the Cleo Smith abduction which wrongly identified a man. Credit:7 News

“He broke down and cried and he was sobbing,” the post said.

“I’d like people to wait for the police to give out information.”

A police spokesman said there was a 36-year-old man assisting with this investigation who has not been charged with any offences, and as such the identity of this person would not be released or confirmed by WA Police.

“I can confirm that another male person sought assistance from WA Police Force yesterday, claiming that he had been incorrectly identified by one or more media outlets,” he said.

“His approach to police was due to threats being made against him.

“It would not be appropriate for WA Police Force to provide any further information.”

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