
LONDON — In the wake of Harry and Meghan’s explosive interview, an influential professional society speaking for the British news media issued a defiant response, rejecting the idea of racism and intolerance in British coverage of the couple.
On Wednesday the group, the Society of Editors, was forced into an embarrassing about-face after objections from more than 160 journalists of color as well as the editors of both The Guardian and The Financial Times.
On Monday, the society stated flatly that “The U.K. media is not bigoted,” and accused Meghan and Harry of an unfounded attack on the profession. Less than 48 hours later, it issued what it called a clarification, acknowledging that its initial statement “did not reflect what we all know: there is a lot of work to be done in the media to improve diversity and inclusion.”
The fallout from the interview has not just divided Britons and shaken the foundations of the royal family. It has also created schisms in the British news media, an industry that rarely outwardly break ranks, and raised broader questions about racism in British society.
Piers Morgan, a co-host of the ITV news show “Good Morning Britain,” who resigned on Tuesday in the wake of his on-air attack on her, saying he didn’t believe that she really entertained thoughts of suicide.
a direct complaint to ITV from Meghan herself, CNN reported.