By Gabriel Princewill-
A study of Meghan Markle and the deluge of press reports about the new Royal Dutchess dominated many hours of discussion by a specialised writers and thinktank of The Eye Of Media.Com today. Following daily media reports about Meghan, who the press can’t get enough of, a meeting was called to closely assess the coverage of new royal.
A particularly insightful and innovative female member of The Eye Of Media.Com after speaking with a member of our thinktank, called for a long discussion on the need for the team to weekly review and analyse media coverage of Meghan Markle, to assess whether she is being subjected to undue or unfair sustained media coverage by media outlets, individually, or collectively. ”She is human, a woman, we must not allow her to be emotionally or psychologically suppressed by the press in any manner that is wrong or unjustified’, she said. Not, especially as she is pregnant”.
Members of the team contributed thoughtfully and intelligently to the discussion, bearing in mind that as one marrying into the royal family, she surely should have envisaged sustained press coverage. Yet, it remains arguable that coverage that is overbearing and unjustified should be highlighted and reprimanded. Balancing the right of the press to free expression with the expectation of that expression to be responsible, necessary, and proportionate is not always easy for an insatiable press when it comes to stories involving the royals.
Comprising the assessment were discussions about the authenticity of the stories written about the former U.S actress, and the effects they may be having on her and her husband, Prince Harry. As a member of the royal family married to prince Harry, it is inevitable that there will be immense press interest in young Meghan. She is reported a strong and assertive woman of mixed race heritage with an acting background, and has an estranged relationship with almost all members of her family. She is hot stuff for the press; a magnet with compelling force. The immense interest in her is understandable. Comparisons between her and Princess Diana, as well as Kate Middleton have not been held back.
HEADLINES
The former actress has made headlines over her family feud, and then an apparent rift with Kate Middleton, the wife of Harry’s brother, Prince William. Talks of the rift has been well documented, but denials of their accuracy makes one wonder whether the claims or the denials are being exaggerated or merely presented to influence public perception.
The British press must be given the benefit of the doubt that any sources cited are reliable. What cannot be stated with any degree of certainty is whether all of the emerging details about Meghan’s new found life at Buckingham Palace are accurate. One certainty is that human discord is part of life and can occur between individuals for a number of reasons. A clash of personalities ignited by the different propensities of individuals can always lead to internal conflicts between any two individuals. Pre-existing insecurities, misinformation, competitiveness, and a myriad of other influences can all play their role in straining relationships in any setting.
STRUGGLING
Reports that that a royal insider told U.S Weekly this week that Meghan was struggling with handling the combination of being pregnant and dealing with the public backlash incredibly stressful, is cause for sober pause. An article by The Daily Mail today claiming Prince Harry feels helpless about the negative public backlash affecting his wife’s joy should be taken at face value as one conceivably true. The challenging question to be faced in any foray into the integrity and legitimacy of media coverage about Meghan is the authenticity and necessity of any articles written about her. Truth and public interest are the underpinning justifications for published stories. And after the inspiring meeting which touched on other topics reviewing the media and other collective projects of the team in the pipeline, a further article was highlighted.
The Mirror published an article online revealing that Meghan Markle’s half brother, 52 year old Thomas Markle junior, had been arrested and jailed for drink driving. The article proceeded to reveal his violent past, including an incident in which he threatened his partner with a gun two years ago. The Mirror also reported that the estranged half brother of Harry’s wife had also tried to block the wedding between Harry and Meghan. None of the reported details would have been edifying to Meghan’s spirit, but the press cannot realistically be stopped if they report stories that are factual.
REVIEW
A painstaking and worthy review is whether the regularity of media coverage and the cumulative effect of those stories on Meghan Markle and Prince Harry is deserving of critical evaluation. Exhaustive discussions on this mission will examine whether news stories written about Meghan are fair, excessive or unwarranted. Plans to involve a few teachers, lawyer, and psychologists in future meetings may spice up the careful and methodical assessment of this worthy and interesting topic. Other important topics raised included a topic touched on these pages before in relation to how celebrity status is perceived and defined in the world today in contrast to its true meaning, and where the boundaries should lie.
The problem of drug addiction and homelessness in society was also discussed alongside a study of ideas of addressing indiscipline in many British schools today. Inadequate social care in many regions of the country , with Brexit getting the least time because of the complexity of the topic and its requirement for more time and expert opinion.