Piers Morgan Cleared By British Regulator Ofcom For Controversial Meghan Markle Comments, Citing His Right To Freedom of Speech
Sept. 1 2021, Published 11:12 a.m. ET
Piers Morgan was cleared today by the United Kingdom communications regulator Ofcom, citing his right to free speech regarding comments made back in March on Good Morning Britain when he said he did not believe what Meghan Markle told Oprah Winfrey during their bombshell interview.
According to the Daily Mail, the UK's broadcasting watchdog cited attempts to silence Morgan a “chilling restriction on freedom of expression.” This all came after a wave of people – including Meghan herself — complained that his questioning of the duchess’ claims of racism from the royal family and suicidal thoughts was both dangerous and offensive to Good Morning Britain viewers.
According to the outlet, Markle was among the 57,000 people who approached Ofcom after an organized social media campaign led by some of Morgan’s biggest critics reportedly accused Morgan of racism and sexism. The group allegedly asked Ofcom to consider his statements about suicide and mental health as harmful, offensive, and decide whether they breached the United Kingdom’s broadcasting code.
“Overall, Ofcom considered that there is a high public interest value in broadcasting open and frank discussions about race and racism, as long as they comply with the Code,” the broadcast regulator said in a statement this morning, ultimately vindicating Piers Morgan.