Meghan Markle and Prince Harry announced they are going to cut ties with four UK tabloids as they said they will adopt ‘zero engagement’ policy.
The Duke and Duchess said they don’t like the “style of reporting” of four tabloids The Sun, The Daily Mail, The Mirror and The Express.
The couple said that they accept that media has ‘every right’ to report on the high-profile ex-royals. But they claim the policy is not to avoid criticism.
The letter reads: ‘’As The Duke and Duchess of Sussex now settle into the next chapter of their lives and no longer receive any publicly funded support, we are writing to set a new media relations policy, specifically as it pertains to your organisation.’’
‘’Like you, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex believe that a free press is a cornerstone to any democracy — particularly in moments of crisis.point 232 |
At its best, this free press shines a light on dark places, telling stories that would otherwise go untold, standing up for what’s right, challenging power, and holding those who abuse the system to account.point 175 | ’’point 181 | 1
The 35-year-old Prince received flak for saying the UK’s COVID-19 crisis is ‘not as bad as the public are being told.’ An expert Professor Karol Sikora showed outrage on the Duke’s comment saying, ‘What are his qualifications for making these comments other than deserting his country in its hour of need?’
The letter which was sent to editors of the groups, Harry and Meghan announced: “It is gravely concerning that an influential slice of the media, over many years, has sought to insulate themselves from taking accountability for what they say or print even when they know it will be distorted, false, or invasive beyond reason.point 385 |
When power is enjoyed without responsibility, the trust we all place in this much-needed industry is degraded.point 94 | ”point 97 | 1
Meghan and Harry told the editors of Britain’s tabloids that they are not going to engage with them anymore announcing, ”Please note that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will not be engaging with your outlet. There will be no corroboration and zero engagement.”
”This is also a policy being instated for their communications team, in order to protect that team from the side of the industry that readers never see. Media have every right to report on The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, good or bad. But it can’t be based on a lie. They also want to be very clear: this is not in any way a blanket policy for all media.”
The Duke and Duchess found ‘influential slice of the media’ very concerning as they sometimes serve gossips without an ounce of truth.
The letter continues: “The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have watched people they know — as well as complete strangers, have their lives completely pulled apart for no good reason, other than the fact that salacious gossip boosts advertising revenue.’’
They also clarified that this move is not to avoid criticism but it should not be a lie. “It’s not about shutting down public conversation or censoring accurate reporting. Media have every right to report on and indeed have an opinion on The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, good or bad. But it can’t be based on a lie. They also want to be very clear: this is not in any way a blanket policy for all media,” they wrote.
The couple mentioned in the letter that they will engage with grassroots media, regional and local media, and young, up-and-coming journalists. But they will not ‘offer themselves up for an economy of clickbait and distortion.’
”The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are looking forward to working with journalists and media organisations all over the world, engaging with grassroots media, regional and local media, and young, up-and-coming journalists, to spotlight issues and causes that so desperately need acknowledging.point 255 |
And they look forward to doing whatever they can to help further opportunities for more diverse and underrepresented voices, who are needed now more than ever.point 134 | ,” the letter added.point 157 | 1
”What they won’t do is offer themselves up as currency for an economy of clickbait and distortion. We are encouraged that this new approach will be heard and respected.”
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