We are excited to launch our monthly ‘Journalism Round-up’ series, in which our editors will recap recent key developments in the journalistic world.
September proved to be an interesting and eventful month in the journalism industry. Here’s a round-up of the key takeaways.
Media coverage of Sarah Everard’s murder
Sarah Everard’s case is one of the most widely publicised missing person and murder investigations the UK has ever seen. Her murder was widely reported on when it happened in March, and received equally large coverage as her killer was brought to conviction and sentencing at the end of this month.
Wayne Couzens, who raped and killed Miss Everard on 3 March, plead guilty to the murder on 29 September, and was sentenced to a whole life tariff the day after, meaning he will never be released from prison. The media reported details of the horrific abduction and murder, in whihc Couzens feigned an arrest of Miss Everard for supposed breaching of Covid-19 guidelines, before kidnapping and murdering her, leaving her body in woodland near his home in Kent.
The case sparked a nationwide movement, with women across the country campaigning against gender-based violence. Extensive coverage came from almost every large-scale and high profile media outlet.
Andrew Neil resigns from GB News
News broke last week of Andrew Neil’s resignation from his newly established media programme, GB News, only three months after its initial launch.
Neil’s initial pledge when he first introduced the channel was to “cover the stories that matter to you and those that have been neglected”. And though Neil began as the face of the programme, he quickly became disillusioned by the direction that channel was taking. He decided to continue in his role as a regular contributor, but has relinquished his duties as chairman and flagship presenter. However, in recent weeks, Neil has since vowed to never appear on the channel again, launching an attack on his former bosses as part of an exposing interview published by Daily Mail. Neil compared working for GB News to being on IRA and Jihadi hit-lists.
Neil’s resignation has prompted questions about the future direction of the channel. The programme quickly attracted media attention in its early days, with controversial faces such as Nigel Farage and Vince Cable involved in its production and news coverage. Eleven advertisers had already suspended their marketing agreements with the channel, within its first four days of broadcasting. Former Sky News journalist Colin Brazier will now take over as the face of the channel, having previously hosted the 8pm show in Neil’s absence.
Piers Morgan joins TalkTV
Earlier this month, Piers Morgan announced his next presenting endeavour, for new television channel TalkTV, created by Ruper Murdoch’s News Corp. The news comes after the renowned TV presenter quit his job as a host on Good Morning Britain, after furious rows with show guests about Meghan Markle and mental health.
The newly formed channel has been the subject of thousands of complaints, though has recently been cleared by Ofcom.
Morgan provided comment on the move, stating his excitement to return to the outlet where he first began his media career, championing a particular emphasis on free speech:
“Rupert Murdoch has been a constant and fearless champion of free speech and we are going to be building something new and very exciting together.”
“I want my global show to be a fearless forum for lively debate and agenda-setting interviews, and a place that celebrates the right of everyone to have an opinion, and for those opinions to be vigorously examined and challenged.”
Many viewers were outraged by Morgan’s response to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s interview with Oprah Winfrey, which aired on ITV earlier this year, after the channel reportedly paid £1 million to broadcast the interview for UK viewers. Asserting his disdain for Markle’s accusations toward the Royal family and her claims of mental health difficulties, Morgan clashed with colleague Susanna Reid, resulting in floods of Ofcom complaints, as well as public statements from mental health charities including Mind UK.
Morgan will also contribute to The Sun and The New York Post as a columnist.
Evie Robinson
Final year BA English student at University College London. President of Pi Media, UCL's student publication. Arts, culture and current affairs writer and aspiring journalist.