GettyJust in case you missed it yesterday, The Sun came in for some major backlash over a column by their bigoted former editor, Kelvin Mackenzie.
Mackenzie’s unbelievably poorly judged and let’s face it – borderline racist – article was promoted by a tweet stating: “Why did Channel 4 have a presenter in a hijab fronting coverage of Muslim terror in Nice?”
The Sun, asking a question that only makes sense if you are a wild racist. pic.twitter.com/MFiEJoNhgY
— Matt Haig (@matthaig1) July 18, 2016
Yep, basically Mackenzie used his column to attack Channel 4 News for using a Muslim presenter to report the Nice truck attack.
Possibly realising what a bunch of mindless, racist pricks they’d made themselves look, they promptly deleted it.
Though not before it was picked up on by the Twitter community:
That Kelvin Mackenzie column today… beyond words…
— Ed King (@edking_I) July 18, 2016
What is a "regular" reporter? And for the record Fatima Manji has reported on some of the biggest stories. At least get your facts right.
— Aisha S Gani (@aishagani) July 18, 2016
Really didn't think I could despise the Sun more than I already did, but that hijab tweet's wots done it. ? #DontBuyTheScum
— @KatieKhaleesi (@KatieKhaleesi) July 18, 2016
Channel 4 News has now issued an official response with their Head of Communications, Hayley Barlow tweeting:
Statement from Channel 4 News following Kelvin MacKenzie’s comments in today's Sun on our correspondent @fatimamanji pic.twitter.com/oXKjE8MPkx
— Hayley Barlow (@Hayley_Barlow) July 18, 2016
The comments published in The Sun by Mr Mackenzie are offensive, completely unacceptable and arguably tantamount to inciting religious and even racial hatred.
It is wrong to suggest that a qualified journalist should be barred from reporting on a particular story or present on a specific day because of their faith.
Fatima Manji is an award-winning journalist. We are proud that she is part of our team and will receive, as ever, our full support in the wake of his comments.
Personally, I think that pretty much covers it.
YouTubeNot that we should be surprised at Mackenzie’s distinct lack of character. Back in the early 1980s he is quoted as saying (about The Sun’s target audience):
You just don’t understand the readers, do you?
He’s the bloke you see in the pub, a right old fascist, wants to send the wogs back, buy his poxy council house.
He’s afraid of the unions, afraid of the Russians, hates the queers and the weirdos and drug dealers. He doesn’t want to hear about that stuff (serious news).
His views were outdated and damaging then and they aren’t any better now.
