LONDON (AP) – The head of a major British press organization has resigned for his reaction to the televised interview of Meghan and Harry – the second senior British media figure to leave amid heated debate over the allegations of racism and bias royal couple.
Ian Murray said he stepped down as executive director of the Society of Editors after issuing a statement that many were downplaying the problem of racism in the media.
Murray said late Wednesday that the statement, which accused Harry and Meghan of mounting an attack on the press, “could have been much clearer in condemning bigotry and clearly sparked outrage.”
“As the Executive Director, I lead the Society and as such I have to take the blame and so I have decided that it is best for the board and members to step aside so that the organization can start building its reputation” , he said.
In the interview with Oprah Winfrey, Meghan and Harry spoke about the intense pressure of media scrutiny and suggested that there was a racist element in the coverage of the biracial duchess. Harry also said the British Royal Family was “afraid” of the tabloid press, which he said “controlled by fear”.
The Society of Editors, an umbrella group of nearly 400 newspapers and other news outlets, released a boldly worded statement about the interview, saying, “The British media are not intolerant and will not be diverted from their vital role to serve the rich and powerful. to be accountable. after 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 the Society of Editors was “in denial” about racism. Katherine Viner, editor of The Guardian, said the media needed to become “much more representative and self-aware.”
ITV News presenter Charlene White stopped hosting the association’s annual Press Awards, saying the organization had asked her to participate to improve diversity, but did not live up to her words.
“I only work with organizations that practice what they preach,” she said.
“Since the Black Lives Matter movement really took hold in the UK last year, every institution in this country has finally had to look at its shortcomings and its position in terms of how they treat ethnic minorities, both inside and outside the walls. But for some unknown reason, you feel that 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 protest over his comments about Meghan.
Morgan, a former tabloid editor, quit Tuesday, a day after saying, “I don’t believe a word she’s saying,” referring to Meghan’s interview. The Duchess told Winfrey that during her time as a working member of the royal family, she felt so miserable that she had thoughts of suicide, claiming that she had received no support from the palace staff.
The UK media watchdog said it had received more than 41,000 complaints about Morgan’s comments.