The objections, including the Guardian newspaper’s reprimand, comes after the Society of Editors dismissed allegations made by Prince Harry that racism had played a role in how the British press covered his wife, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex.
Ian Murray, the executive director of the Society of Editors, said in a statement on Monday that it was “untrue” that sections of the UK press were overstated. “There is no acceptable evidence for the Duke and Duchess to make such claims,” he said.
The Society of Editors has 400 members, mostly working journalists, and runs the Press Awards, the premier annual awards ceremony in British journalism. The event was previously called the British Press Awards.
“The UK media never shies from holding the spotlight for those in positions of power, celebrity or influence,” Murray said in the statement. “If the questions sometimes asked are awkward and embarrassing, so be it, but the press is certainly not racist.”
But many British journalists disputed that view.
“Every institution in the United Kingdom is currently examining its position on important issues of race and the treatment of people of color. As I’ve said before, the media should do the same. It’s much more representative and more self-conscious Should be., “Added editor-in-chief Kathryn Winer.
HuffPost UK editor-in-chief Jess Brummer said on Twitter that she disagreed with the Society’s claim that it was “untrue that sections of the UK press were overstated.”
And ITV’s “Good Morning Britain” senior political producer Anne Alexander said she was “still trying to process this ridiculous statement.”
“How can you possibly say that no part of the media is large? It is a partial reflection of society, which is in large parts,” Alexander said.
Murray did not immediately respond to CNN Business’s questions on Tuesday.
