Skip to content

Meghan and Harry: Coverage not racist, newspaper chief says

Coverage of the Duchess of Sussex in the UK press wasn't racist, the executive director of a body representing media interests has told BBC News in a heated exchange.

Speaking to Victoria Derbyshire, Ian Murray from the Society of Editors refused to defend individual headlines, however, saying "if you keep on looking you will find that needle in the haystack".

It's after Meghan and Harry said in their interview with Oprah Winfrey that tabloid racism was a large part of the reason why they left the UK.

Read more: Harry: Tabloid racism 'large part' of why we left

9 March 2021

The Royal Family and the media

Explore More

Shakila Meli wearing white headscarf with blue flowers

Racism victim: 'I'm not going to run any more'

Kamala Harris and Oprah Winfrey

Harris and Oprah hold star-studded rally in Michigan

Tim Walz

Watch: Oprah and Bill Clinton turn out for Tim Walz's big day

Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey alludes to JD Vance's 'childless cat lady' jibe

Raygun speaking

Australian breakdancer Raygun opens up about 'devastating' hate online

Journalist wearing a protective helmet speaks into the camera as troops behind her remove a Russian flag from a building.

Ukrainian TV films inside Russia as flag removed

Chloe Ayling smiles, sitting on the red Breakfast sofa

Watch: Model hopes TV drama will show the true facts of her kidnapping

BBC director general Tim Davie

BBC not aware of 'deeply disturbing' specifics, says Davie

Nigel Farage speaking in the studio

Farage on Reform's candidate controversies and immigration policy

Rishi Sunak

'It makes me hurt and it makes me angry' - Sunak on Reform racism row

Former white nationalist R. Derek Black in the HARDtalk studio

Former white nationalist: ‘I feel an enormous guilt’

Prince Andrew

Watch highlights from Prince Andrew interview that inspired Scoop

Charles Spencer

Death of Diana changed the press, says Earl Spencer

Prince William decorates a biscuit at a youth centre

Prince William compliments Kate's 'arty' side

David Sherborne talking

Piers Morgan knew what going on, Harry says

Keyframe #9

Expert: AI ‘hurts ability to keep democracy alive’

TV anchor walks off set

Polish news anchor pulled off air as Tusk reforms take effect

Piers Morgan speaking

Piers Morgan denies phone hacking after Harry judgement

Oprah Winfrey

Oprah portrait unveiled at prestigious US gallery

Omid Scobie

Omid Scobie denies royal naming was a publicity stunt

Country home blanketed in snow

Snowy Saturday as Storm Bert sweeps the UK

Parts of the UK are blanketed in snow, as the storm causes travel disruption and power cuts.

A snowy tree in Llanuwchllyn, Gwynedd

Watch: Snowy scenes as cold snap hits UK

Several weather warnings have been issued as the first snow of the season hit parts of the UK.

A group of schoolchildren in purple jumpers singing Happy Birthday to King Charles

Children sing Happy Birthday to the King

The monarch smiled as the group of youngsters sang to him with their teachers during a visit for a food poverty project.

A composite image of June Spencer as a young and older woman

Watch: June Spencer recounts her lifetime on The Archers

The radio star, who played Peggy Woolley in The Archers, has died aged 105.

Antonio Banderas looking at a Blue Peter badge next to Olivia Colman who is excitedly putting her badge on. A sign in the background reads Paddington in Peru

Watch: Colman's Blue Peter badge delight baffles co-star

The Oscar-winning actress appeared overwhelmed with joy when presenter Shini Muthukrishnan awarded her the badge.

Prince William playing rugby with school children in Cape Town

Prince William plays rugby with children in Cape Town

The Prince of Wales is on a trip in South Africa promoting his Earthshot environmental prize.

a woman looking at an off-screen interviewer. Her gaze is direct and she is wearing a black top and plum-coloured lipstick

'Little girls were threatened in the most depraved way'

Catherine Kierans from the PPS explains how Alexander McCartney abused young girls online.

King Charles standing at a podium

King: 'It is vital that we understand our history'

King Charles says says "the most painful aspects of our past continue to resonate" in a speech to Commonwealth leaders.

A still from the bodycam footage showing the moments before Chris Kaba was shot

Bodycam video shows moments before Chris Kaba shooting

Police release bodycam footage showing moments before Chris Kaba is shot.

Scorpion

'Our flatmate found a scorpion in her Shein parcel'

A university student had a shock when she found a live scorpion in a clothing parcel from fast fashion firm Shein.

Princess of Wales

Kate in Southport for surprise first public visit since chemo

The Princess of Wales arrives in Southport for her first official engagement since finishing cancer treatment.

Learner motorbike rider uses phone while overtaking

Watch: Dangerous driving caught on camera

More people are being prosecuted for dangerous driving thanks to a huge increase in footage submitted to police by the public.

King Charles dancing

'He's got the moves' - King tries Samoan dance

The King and Queen met guests representing the Commonwealth at a St James's Palace reception.

Prince William and David Beckham pose in front of a helicopter

'East End boy' Beckham helps with Prince William fundraiser

Beckham says he was "excited and proud" to help raise money for the London Air Ambulance service.

Prince Harry smiles at WellChild Awards

Prince Harry arrives in London for charity awards

Prince Harry poses for photographs as he visits London for the WellChild Awards ceremony.

Harrison in the water, the sun is shining on the water and there is a boat behind him

Teenager swims Bristol Channel before rugby game

Harrison, 15, swam "non-stop" for several hours, then played rugby the next morning.

Huw Edwards outside court

Watch: Silent Huw Edwards arrives at court

The former BBC News presenter has arrived at Westminster Magistrates’ Court filmed by TV cameras, photographers and watched by journalists.

Gary Lineker, Joe Hart and Danny Murphy sit in the Match of the Day studio, with a backdrop of the Royal Albert Hall

Match of the day or Last Night of the Proms? Well, it's both!

To mark the 60th anniversary of Match of the Day, the football pundits had a go at some Proms commentary.

King Charles grins as three rugby players wearing black New Zealand t-shirts give him hug

Watch: King surprised by 'very healing' hug with rugby players

King Charles laughed after accepting the surprise offer from a player on New Zealand's women's team.

Emily Maitlis

Emily Maitlis reflects on impact of Prince Andrew interview

The 2019 interview, widely viewed as a "car-crash", saw the prince talk candidly to Maitlis about his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.