Topless model reappears on the Sun’s Page 3

Tabloid newspaper the Sun has reversed the decision to end its Page 3 feature by printing a picture of a topless model in today’s edition.

In a move that will disappoint campaigners who have been working to end the daily feature, Page 3 of today’s Sun included the revealing picture along with a caption which read: “Further to recent reports in all other media outlets, we would like to clarify that this is Page 3 and this is a picture of Nicole, 22, from Bournemouth. We would like to apologise on behalf of the print and broadcast journalists who have spent the last two days talking and writing about us.”

Topless pictures have been missing from the paper for the past three days, amid speculation that the feature had been dropped as pressure grew from campaigners who believe the daily feature is outdated and objectifies women.

MPs have also voiced their opposition to the 44-year-old Page 3; Harriet Harman, Labour party chair and shadow secretary of state for culture, voiced her approval this week of the Sun’s apparent decision to end its weekly feature.

The pressure group No More Page 3, set up in 2011, garnered over 200,000 signatures calling for Page 3 to be discontinued.

But it appears the Sun, owned by controversial media tycoon Rupert Murdoch, has not bowed to pressure, leading to suggestions that Page 3’s temporary hiatus was a publicity stunt designed to increase sales at a time when print newspapers face dwindling circulations.

The paper’s decision to continue with its Page 3 feature will please some who disagree with a desired Page 3 ban.

Glamour model Chloe Goodman, who has appeared topless on Page 3, has criticised anti-Page 3 campaigners, arguing that women should have the right to choose whether or not to appear in the feature.

Goodman states that it is hypocritical for campaigners to dictate which careers women should not pursue whilst claiming to be supportive of women’s rights.

The Sun had refused to suggest that Page 3 was coming to an end even after its omission from several editions of this week’s paper.

Presently, it is unclear whether or not today’s reinstallation will be repeated in future editions or was merely the daily feature’s last hurrah before it ends for good.

Joe Morgan