For some it is a triumph, for others a nightmare. “The Queen of Woke can no longer silence us,” writes the Sun. “Now he’s getting even more unbearable,” reads the cover of the Daily Star. The man who divides the British media landscape in such a way likes to share both on social networks, he is now a double winner.
The entertainer and television puking man Piers Morgan, notorious far beyond the UK for controversial interviews with politicians, was acquitted on Wednesday by the British media regulator of all allegations that were raised after a rather indirect dispute with Duchess Meghan. The supervisory authority, Ofcom, has now dismissed a complaint by Duchess Meghan against Morgan.
The Duchess had objected to Morgan’s rude remarks about an interview, that she and her husband, Prince Harry, had given talk show host Oprah Winfrey. This TV conversation had been dissected by Piers Morgan in his program: Meghan had dropped a “bomb on racism” with her accusation that “someone” from the queen family had speculated about the possible skin color of a possible child of hers and Harry, he said. He also doubts that the Duchess actually, as she explained, revealed her thoughts about suicide to the family. “I wouldn’t believe her if she read the weather report.”
Broadcasters can bring up controversial opinions as part of a legitimate debate
As a result, Ofcom (the British media regulator is responsible for the public service BBC and private broadcasters such as ITV) received more than 57,000 complaints from viewers. Morgan was insulted and vilified in the networks, which he should be used to as a television villain in principle, but in March he left the studio while the show was still on, thrown out, Total loss on own account.
Stumbling block: Duchess Meghan and Prince Harry in an interview with Oprah Winfrey.
(Photo: VIA REUTERS)
Six months later, Ofcom announced that the 56-year-old presenter’s comments were “potentially harmful and offensive. We have also fully respected freedom of expression. Our rules allow broadcasters to raise controversial opinions as part of a legitimate debate in the public interest.” The fact that other contributors on the show criticized Morgan’s statements created the necessary context for the audience.
Morgan commented on the decision in the usual manner: an “overwhelming victory for freedom of expression and a heavy defeat for Princess Pinocchio”, he wrote on Twitter. “Am I getting my job back?”