Piers Morgan Cleared Over "Potentially Harmful" Meghan Markle Comments

 

CREDIT: edition.cnn.com

Piers Morgan has been cleared by a U.K broadcast regulator over his controversial comments that were directed towards Meghan Markle's candid mental health admissions earlier this year.

In March, Morgan left Good Morning Britain after he received backlash over questioning Meghan's credibility after she openly discussed suicidal thoughts on Oprah beside her husband, Prince Harry.

Meghan also complained about his on-air comments.

The Office of Communications (Ofcom) decided to clear Morgan following an investigation, stating the comments "did not breach the Ofcom Broadcasting Code." They also said they were expressed with "sufficient" context.

"The interview between the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and Oprah Winfrey contained serious allegations and it was legitimate for this Program to discuss and scrutinise those claims including their veracity. Ofcom is clear that, consistent with freedom of expression, Mr. Morgan was entitled to say he disbelieved the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's allegations and to hold and express strong views that rigorously challenged their account."

"The Code allows for individuals to express strongly held and robustly argued views, including those that are potentially harmful or highly offensive, and for broadcasters to include these in their programming. The restriction of such views would, in our view, be an unwarranted and chilling restriction on freedom of expression both of the broadcaster and the audience." 

CREDIT: ITV

Ofcom do, however, have concerns over Morgan's "apparent disregard for the seriousness of anyone expressing suicidal thoughts." Morgan's co-hosts Susanna Reid and Chris Ship presented "extensive challenge" to his comments and balanced the conversation.

"Given the significant challenge to Mr. Morgan's comments provided by other presenters and contributors in the Program, we considered that, overall, adequate protection for viewers was provided and the potentially harmful and highly offensive material was sufficiently contextualised."

After the finalisation of the decision, Morgan wrote an op-ed for The Daily Mail and tweeted he is "delighted" with the result. He said it was a "resounding victory for free speech." He also called Meghan "Princess Pinocchio."

"Do I get my job back? he said.

There were plenty of individuals speaking out against the decision on Twitter. 

"Piers Morgan consistently aggravates bigotry/racism/sexism/misogyny against Meghan Markle on national stage. Uses his White privilege with power & influence to effect. Ofcom just legitimised his conduct Systematic racism & White Supremacy thrive because UK is institutionally racist." - Author/Activist Dr. Shola Mos-Shogbamimu.

"It's the rulings ike @Ofcom's about Piers Morgan's comments on GMB that enable a lot of white men to continue to inflict more violence in the environments they have access to." - U.K. actress Kelechi.

CREDIT: Getty Images

On March 8th, Morgan questioned Meghan's statements surrounding her mental health while she was part of the royal family. During her interview with Oprah Winfrey, she said she "just didn't want to be alive anymore."

"I don't believe a word she says, Meghan Markle. I wouldn't believe it if she read me a weather report and that fact that she fired up this onslaught against our royal family, I think is contemptible. Morgan said. 

He later attempted to clarify his comments surrounding mental illness and suicide.

The next day, he stormed off set after his co-host Alex Beresford criticised  his comments. His permanent departure from the show was announced later that day.

During her Oprah interview, Meghan said, "It takes so much courage to admit that you need help. It takes so much courage to voice that. As I said, I was ashamed."

"I think it's so important for people to remember you have no idea what's going on for someone behind closed doors. No idea. Even the people that smile and shine the brightest lights. You need to have compassion for what is actually potentially going on."