By Gabriel Princewill-
The Society of Editors are facing a reform challenge after several editors wrote to complaint against its official stance, following the Oprah Winfrey interview of The Dutch and Duchess Of Sussex.
The agitation was sparked after the society’s chief, Ian Murray(pictured in the main article) was forced to resign, after he officially condemned the attack on the British press by Prince Harry, alleging that the UK press was racist and bigoted, as ”unacceptable”.
Recent revelation that Oprah Winfrey’s production company distorted the presentation of newspaper articles in the television icon’s globalised interview has complicated the row, and there are those who have called for more specific and compelling evidence of racist coverage of Meghan Markle to be presented.
Last Thursday, 151 journalists of colour followed up an open letter earlier in the week with a new statement saying that while Murray’s resignation was a reflection of the gravity of the circumstances “this has never been about one man”.
They went on: “We now look forward to the Society of Editors withdrawing its denial of the racism which exists in our industry and explaining more fully what action it will take to address it, starting with its own awards scheme, which has consistently failed to recognise the talent and achievements of journalists of colour.”
However, at the heart of the row is specific allegation of racist coverage against Meghan Markle, an allegation being extended to diversity issues about the lack of wider opportunities to journalist of colour in the British media. Some critics see it a conflation of the two issues(racist coverage against Meghan versus diversity issues in the media)
A number of the society’s prominent members have threatened to withdraw from the society, unless a pledge to improve diversity is swiftly unveiled.
ITV news anchor Charlene White is one of several leading names to have pulled out of the society’s annual awards ceremony.
Ms White dropped out of hosting the National Press Awards after its organiser, the Society of Editors, issued a statement saying there was no racism in the UK media.
On Wednesday, the Bureau of Investigative Journalism withdrew its two nominations from the shortlist for the Society Of Editors Awards, saying the statement showed a “lack of awareness & understanding of deep-rooted & persistent problems”.
ITV Anchor Charline White pulls out of award Image: Itv.com
The Daily Mirror and The Yorkshire Evening Post, has also pulled out of its contention for a diversity award in protest at Murray’s denial of racism in British newspapers. The virtual annual awards ceremony, a prestigious event scheduled for 31 March, is now likely to be postponed. Some believe the dissolution of the entire society may be the best answer.
Division
The board became divided after 168 journalists, writers and broadcasters of colour from across the British media wrote an open letter describing the SoE’s initial statement as “laughable” proof of “an institution and an industry in denial”.
“This is a big test of journalists and the organisations they work for,” said Brian Cathcart, professor of journalism at Kingston University and a founder of the Hacked Off campaign. “This is not good enough. Newspapers have got to deliver on this issue now, rather than the Society patching up a new statement and then carrying on as before.”
Board members calling for change has bean broad, include Mills, the former BBC news chief Kamal Ahmed, Vic Motune, editor of the Voice and Polly Curtis, managing director of PA Media, all of whom have called for a new draft statement proposing major restructuring could be approved. Simply delaying the press awards event will not satisfy those in favour of reform.
Managing Director of PA Media: Polly Curtis
Instead Mills wants an admission of guilt about the cumulative effect of a lack of diversity in coverage and decision making.
“It is also about a double standard in the way individuals from different backgrounds and their behaviours are judged. It is vital we change the lens we see the world through when we are reporting on things. If what we see is not a true reflection of society, then it becomes a distortion.”
“When 160 journalists of colour put their names to an open letter saying the Society of Editors is wrong and there is racism they have to listen and people who care about journalism must make changes,” said Cathcart. “There is no hiding place.”
Editor Of The Voice: Vic Mortune Image: The voice-online-co.uk
It remains unclear how the Society Of Editors plan to move forward, but it will likely require broad discussions about the issues at hand, which may require a vigorous debate where contentious issues arise.
Some editors, who at this point did not want to comment further on the escalating situation, have suggested that Ian Murray himself contributes to those discussions, despite his resignation.
The Eye Of Media.Com will be keeping a close eye on developments, ensuring a critical and objective outlook on the issues at hand, as they unfold.