We have another entry for the Apology Institute of America of which Nell Minow and I are sole proprietors.
As brief background, British TV personality Jeremy Clarkson -- who previously was fired by the BBC after an altercation with a producer of the series Top Gear (and then later was rehired) wrote an op-ed in the Rupert Murdoch-owned London tabloid The Sun, where he vented his virulent misogynistic and racist fury at Meghan Markle. Without going into extension detail, but just to give the briefest idea so that there can be some perspective, at one point Clarkson made an allusion to a famous scene from Game of Thrones and wrote -- “At night, I’m unable to sleep as I lie there, grinding my teeth and dreaming of the day when she is made to parade naked through the streets of every town in Britain while the crowds chant, “Shame!” and throw lumps of excrement at her.” And added that he hated Ms. Markle "on a cellular level." As if that explanation was needed. That brings us to last Saturday, Christmas Eve. The Sun wrote a notice that they "regret the publication" of the article by Jeremy Clarkson "and we are sincerely sorry." And said they are removing it from their archive. However, the only actual regret they express at all is that "It provoked a strong response and led to a large number of complaints to IPSO". (That's the Independent Press Standards Organisation.) "Large number" is 20,800 complaints in four days, as of last Tuesday morning. Along with 60 Members of Parliament from multiple parties wrote to The Sun editor and not only demanded an apology, but also that there be "action taken" against Clarkson. Additionally John Nicolson, a front-bench Member of Parliament and shadow culture minister of Scotland largest political party, the SNP, wrote a 10-paragraph letter to the President of ITV, which said, in part -- “As a member of parliament and a journalist by profession, I have consistently defended the freedom of the press. However, this has crossed a line. “Using the names of a democratically elected First Minister of Scotland and the Duchess of Sussex alongside that of a serial killer is grotesque. Expressing a scatological, misogynistic fantasy that Meghan Markle might be assaulted with faeces is an insight into a disturbed mind, openly expressing violence hate speech. I do not believe that Mr Clarkson should appear on our television screens again. It would be especially inappropriate for him to be used as a presenter by any Public Service Broadcaster.” That's the "strong response" and "large number of complaints" that The Sun received after publishing Clarkson's op-ed article. Apparently, this is a fine example of legendary British understatement. And that's the only reason The Sun gives for saying it's "sincerely sorry." So, no, they are not apologizing because it was repugnant. Further, IPSO says the article is being removed at Jeremy Clarkson's request, not The Sun's action on its own. Moreover, it took a full week for them to issue this paltry statement. That's no apology. Being sorry that you published something that got so many complaints only means you regret that YOU got called out for a reprehensible action, not because you recognize that your actions were reprehensible and why. And apologize for THAT. It's also not remotely "sincere." Being sorry you published something that got so many complaints only means you regret YOU got called out for a reprehensible action, not because you recognize that your actions were reprehensible, hurt someone & why. And that you apologize for *THAT*. From my end, as far as bad apologies go, I give this an F. For her part, my AIA partner Ms. Minow has now coined a phrase which appropriately describes it -- a "fauxpology." And to support our official AIA ruling, not shockingly the Duke and Duchess of Sussex agree. They have released a statement which reads: "The fact that the Sun has not contacted The Duchess of Sussex to apologize shows their intent. This is nothing more than a PR stunt. While the public absolutely deserves the publication’s regrets for their dangerous comments, we wouldn’t be in this situation if The Sun did not continue to profit off of and exploit hate, violence and misogyny. A true apology would be a shift in their coverage and ethical standards for all. Unfortunately, we’re not holding our breath." But we can't let Jeremy Clarkson's own response to the whole matter go without mention. And I don't call it his "apology," but in no way is it. I should note first, though, that his own daughter Emily, who is a podcast presenter (of a program so-appropriately titled, "Should I Delete That?") released a statement of outrage and slamming her father. “My views are and have always been clear when it comes to misogyny, bullying and the treatment of women by the media. “I want to make it very clear that I stand against everything that my dad wrote about Meghan Markle and I remain standing in support of those that are targeted with online hatred.” On the other hand, ITV has said at the moment that it will keep Clarkson on as host of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? (Though it wouldn't shock me if that decision backfires. Who knows? We'll see...) And how has Clarkson himself responded to it all? He said his article had "a clumsy reference to a scene in Game of Thrones," and admitted that his piece "has gone down badly with a great many people." Concluding with "I'm horrified to have caused so much hurt and I shall be more careful in future." I don't think that even qualifies as even a bad apology, but more of a snarky reply. "Gone down badly" makes The Sun's understatement seem outrageous by comparison. Moreover, the fact that he could write such an article that included wishing someone he hated at a cellular level would be paraded naked while being pelted with excrement and somehow be "horrified" it caused so much hurt shows a lack of self-awareness that doesn't even register on the world's most sensitive Richter Scale and makes clear his true thinking that what he wrote was okay. And given this response and that it comes after having been fired by the BBC for punching his producer, it seems improbable that he will be more careful in the future. Ever. Since that's not even an attempt at an apology, it's difficult to actually rate his response, and so instead the best that we can do is to give him an asterisk. And with that, we mark it -- "* Does not qualify with enough fake regret to earn an F." I have every confidence that this keeps with the standards established at the AIA with my co-founder Ms. Minow.
2 Comments
John
12/26/2022 08:19:41 am
As an American I had zero idea about this disgraceful situation; I had no idea of Clarkson’s politics. As a long time fan to the BBC show, “Top Gear,” I was used to his wild antics on the show. I followed the Top Gear trio to Amazon in their next version, “The Grand Tour,” as I do enjoy the show. That led me to the Amazon show, “Clarkson’s Farm,” again a comedic vehicle, that only hinted at his “better than the peasants” attitude.
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Robert Elisberg
12/26/2022 04:35:37 pm
John, thanks for your note. A friend of mine -- who has watched those shows -- said largely the same. I should only note that this isn't the first problem that Clarkson has had. As I mentioned, he was fired by the BBC for punching out a producer on, I think "Top Gear." So, clearly, that was a hint that he's not necessarily a hail fellow well met.
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AuthorRobert J. Elisberg is a political commentator, screenwriter, novelist, tech writer and also some other things that I just tend to keep forgetting. Feedspot Badge of Honor
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