LONDON (AP) – The head of a major British media organization has resigned over his response to a television interview with Meghan and Harry – the second UK media figure to leave amid a heated debate over accusations of racism and bias by the royal couple.
Ian Murray said he was stepping down as CEO of the Society of Publishers after issuing a statement that many felt he had downplayed racism in the media. –
Murray said late Wednesday that the statement, which accused Harry and Meghan of press attacks, “could have been much clearer in condemning fanaticism and clearly outraged.”
“As CEO, I run the company and, as such, I have to take the blame and so I decided it was better for the board and members to give up so that the organization could start rebuilding its reputation,” he said.
In an interview with Oprah Winfrey, Meghan and Harry talked about the intense pressure of media control and suggested that there was a racist element in covering the Duchess Biracial. Harry also said that the British royal family is “scared” by the tabloid press, which he said exercised “control through fear”.
The Society of Editors, an umbrella group for nearly 400 newspapers and other news outlets, released a strong statement about the interview, saying that “the UK media is not fanatical and will not be influenced by its vital role of accountability. the rich and powerful following the attack on the press by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. ”
But some journalists disagreed. More than 160 reporters and editors signed a letter saying that the Society of Publishers was “denying” racism. Katherine Viner, editor of The Guardian, said the media needs to become “much more representative and self-aware.”
ITV News presenter Charlene White gave up hosting the company’s annual press awards, saying the organization asked her to get involved to improve her diversity, but failed to live up to her words.
“I only work with organizations that practice what they preach,” she said.
“Since the Black Lives Matter movement took off in the UK last year, every institution in this country has finally had to look at its failures and its position on how it treats ethnic minorities both within and outside the UK. and outside its walls. But, for some unknown reason, you feel as if the British press is exempt from that discussion. ”
Murray’s departure follows Piers Morgan’s departure from the TV show “Good Morning Britain”, amid a shout out about his comments about Meghan.
Morgan, a former tabloid editor, gave up on Tuesday, a day after saying “I don’t think a word to say,” referring to Meghan’s interview. The Duchess told Winfrey that she was so miserable during her time as a member of the royal family that she had suicidal thoughts and claimed that she had not received support from the palace staff.
The British surveillance doctor said he had received more than 41,000 complaints about Morgan’s comments.