Jon Sopel on the media’s coverage of the Huw Edwards story feels like an important watch right now
No-one anywhere will need reminding of the Huw Edwards story, after the presenter’s wife ended days of speculation on Wednesday by confirming the News at Ten man’s identity.
The BBC has resumed its internal investigation after the police concluded that Edwards, who is now in hospital seeking treatment for mental health issues, had no criminal case to answer over allegations he had paid a young individual for explicit images.
It was the Sun that broke the original story, of course, swiftly followed up by other media organisations including the BBC.
The Sun claims tonight it "never alleged criminality" and blames other media for "reading too much" into its reporting. Like yesterday's Sun story (still on website) saying the BBC figure "could be charged by cops & face years in prison." pic.twitter.com/mRgZqgqOm2
— alan rusbridger (@arusbridger) July 12, 2023
We mention it because former BBC correspondent Jon Sopel was on ITV’s Good Morning Britain on Thursday, and what he had to say feels like an important watch right now and a minute or so very well spent.
‘Do you think this could be a watershed [moment] for the tabloid press?’@jonsopel says ‘there are a number of people in the tabloid press and dare I say it, in BBC news, who need to give themselves a good hard look in the mirror.’ pic.twitter.com/QprjbeQz9n
— Good Morning Britain (@GMB) July 13, 2023
Here’s what Sopel said about it later.
I didn’t say any of this lightly, but have been struck by how many of my former BBC colleagues – some very senior – have been in touch to express their anger and dismay at their own coverage of this https://t.co/HJpDTwZ2WJ
— Jon Sopel (@jonsopel) July 13, 2023
And earlier, in fact, on LBC, where he also co-hosts the News Agents podcast with Emily Maitlis.
‘If there’s been no criminality, what are you left with?’
Empathising with Huw Edwards, News Agent’s @JonSopel tells @AndrewMarr9 his BBC news colleagues ‘need to look at themselves’ and their coverage of the story. pic.twitter.com/u5nF54B9xD
— LBC (@LBC) July 12, 2023
And it puts into more context Sopel’s former BBC colleague Jeremy Vine, who yesterday said the then unnamed presenter should identify themselves to protect their colleagues.
I’m starting to think the BBC Presenter involved in the scandal should now come forward publicly. These new allegations will result in yet more vitriol being thrown at perfectly innocent colleagues of his. And the BBC, which I’m sure he loves, is on its knees with this.
But it…— Jeremy Vine (@theJeremyVine) July 11, 2023
Although Richard Bacon had a pretty good response to that too.
Stop it. You’re more emotionally intelligent than this. We don’t know the complexities of what his family are going through. Or what dark thoughts are running through his head. Irrespective of what he’s done wrong. You can walk off people wrongly guessing it’s you for 5 minutes. https://t.co/b8xNoz2btw
— richard bacon (@richardpbacon) July 11, 2023
Source Twitter @GMB