Society of Editors executive director Ian Murray in a statement: "If it is simply the case the Sussexes feel that the press by questioning their actions and commenting on their roles when working as Royals funded by the taxpayer were being racist then they are mistaken. In the case of Meghan Markle and her engagement and marriage to Prince Harry there was universal supporting coverage in the UK media which reflected the warmth shown to the couple by the British people...The UK media has never shied away from holding a spotlight up to those in positions of power, celebrity or influence. If sometimes the questions asked are awkward and embarrassing, then so be it, but the press is most certainly not racist."
On Wednesday Murray resigned, as reported by BBC News, stating: "Since the statement was issued the SoE has been heavily criticised. While I do not agree that the Society's statement was in any way intended to defend racism, I accept it could have been much clearer in its condemnation of bigotry and has clearly caused upset. As executive director I lead the Society and as such must take the blame and so I have decided it is best for the board and membership that I step aside so that the organisation can start to rebuild its reputation."
- In a clarification to its first statement on the Harry and Meghan interview, the SoE said: “The Society of Editors has a proud history of campaigning for freedom of speech and the vital work that journalists do in a democracy to hold power to account. Our statement on Meghan and Harry was made in that spirit but did not reflect what we all know: that there is a lot of work to be done in the media to improve diversity and inclusion. We will reflect on the reaction our statement prompted and work towards being part of the solution.”
Those reactions included:
Paul Wiltshire on Twitter: "The @EditorsUK does an amazing job in defending media freedom. But to pretend that bigotry and racism isn't alive and well on the front pages of too many of our news titles does a huge disservice to journalism and the majority of journalists."
Huff Post UK editor-in-chief Jess Brammar on Twitter: "I considered not saying anything about this because I’m aware I won’t make myself popular with my peers but i’m just going to stand up and say it: I don’t agree with statement from my industry body that it is 'untrue that sections of UK press were bigoted'.”
Guardian Media editor-in-chief Kath Viner in a statement: "Every institution in the United Kingdom is currently examining its own position on vital issues of race and the treatment of people of colour. As I have said before, the media must do the same. It must be much more representative and more self-aware.”
Financial Times editor Roula Khalaf in a statement: “There is work to be done across all sectors in the UK to call out and challenge racism,” she said. “The media has a critical role to play, and editors must ensure that our newsrooms and coverage reflect the societies we live in.”
I News editor-in-chief Olly Duff on Twitter: "It was ludicrous for SoE to issue blanket defence of all media coverage. No wonder so many editors, journalists (and board members- given no knowledge of statement pre-publication) furious."
Open letter to Society of Editors signed by journalists of colour: "The Society of Editors should have used the comments by the Sussexes to start an open and constructive discussion about the best way to prevent racist coverage in future, including through addressing lack of representation in the UK media, particularly at a senior level. The blanket refusal to accept there is any bigotry in the British press is laughable, does a disservice to journalists of colour and shows an institution and an industry in denial."
Huff Post UK reports: "Charlene White has pulled out of hosting the Society of Editors’ National Press Awards in a statement sent to the SoE’s executive director Ian Murray, White said: 'Perhaps it’s best for you to look elsewhere for a host for your awards this year. Perhaps someone whose views align with yours: that the UK press is the one institution in the entire country who has a perfect record on race'.”
The Bureau for Investigative Journalism on Twitter: "This year the Bureau team has been shortlisted for two Society of Editors awards. Having reflected on the @EditorsUK statement this week and subsequent response, in light of our mission and values, we have withdrawn our nominations."
Yorkshire Post editor James Mitchinson in a letter to readers: "It is with regret but absolute conviction that in light of recent events I will not be entering The Yorkshire Post into the Society of Editors’ awards for regional journalism this year...As the editor of the reigning best-in-class regional daily in the country, an accolade that each and every one of the people I am proud to lead merits, I believe it is in the best interests of my team, my title and our wider trade to step aside and allow the Society the space it needs to reflect on what has happened."
Piers Morgan on Twitter after his departure from ITV's Good Morning Britain: "On Monday, I said I didn’t believe Meghan Markle in her Oprah interview. I’ve had time to reflect on this opinion, and I still don’t. If you did, OK. Freedom of speech is a hill I’m happy to die on. Thanks for all the love, and hate. I’m off to spend more time with my opinions."
- Kelvin MacKenzie on Twitter: "There will be a long queue to hire Piers as he has the unique ability in the news business to bring an audience with him. Rupert Murdoch is 90 tomorrow. He should sign Piers before he snuffs it."
Alan Rusbridger in the Guardian: "I am not alone among his former editors and colleagues in feeling let down by Greenslade for leaving it until his retirement to place on public record his sympathies for the armed struggle. Those beliefs were irrelevant to the vast majority of his output at the Guardian. But he did very occasionally write about Ireland and media coverage. Given what he has now shared, I believe he should have avoided those topics – or, at the very least, have been consistent in letting readers know more about where he was coming from – especially as the Guardian’s own guidelines have long been explicit about declaring interests."
Roy Greenslade, quoted by Sunday Life: "I categorically deny passing any information to the IRA at any time. I didn't have any information to pass on. I was an intellectual supporter, not a practical one. I was not privy to any classified information. I was an office-bound executive with no contact personally or by phone with any person from the security services. So, it follows that I didn't pass any such information to anyone."
Objective of the new National Action Plan for the Safety of Journalists announced by the UK Government: "Our aim is to ensure that journalists operating in the UK are as safe as possible, reducing the number of attacks on and threats issued to journalists and ensuring those that are responsible for such are brought to justice. In order to support this goal, we are taking steps to":
- Increase our understanding of the problem;
- Enhance the criminal justice system response in tackling crimes against journalists;
- Support journalists and their employers to build the resources they need to protect personal safety;
- Help online platforms to tackle the wider issue of abuse online;
- Improve public recognition of the value of journalists.
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