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Ipso's Moses proves, once again, he was a clever choice for the post Ipso's Moses proves, once again, he was a clever choice for the post
(35 minutes later)
Sir Alan Moses is a canny man. In an interview with the Financial Times he accused “newspapers” and/or “the press” of a “nasty edge” to their coverage of the Brexit debate.Sir Alan Moses is a canny man. In an interview with the Financial Times he accused “newspapers” and/or “the press” of a “nasty edge” to their coverage of the Brexit debate.
As chair of the Independent Press Standards Organisation (Ipso) he cannot be other than aware that such criticism is aimed at boosting his claim to be a tough and impartial regulator.As chair of the Independent Press Standards Organisation (Ipso) he cannot be other than aware that such criticism is aimed at boosting his claim to be a tough and impartial regulator.
But, as he conceded, nastiness is outside of Ipso’s remit. It cannot make rulings on matters of tone and taste because it administers the editors’ code of practice, which is silent on such issues.But, as he conceded, nastiness is outside of Ipso’s remit. It cannot make rulings on matters of tone and taste because it administers the editors’ code of practice, which is silent on such issues.
Moses told David Bond, the FT’s media correspondent: “One would like to ask the press to be more responsible. But I have held back from making remarks like that.”Moses told David Bond, the FT’s media correspondent: “One would like to ask the press to be more responsible. But I have held back from making remarks like that.”
His tactics made me smile. Held back no longer then. Editors, and the public, now know what he thinks about press coverage of immigration and, between the lines, they can detect his irritation at not being able to do much about it.His tactics made me smile. Held back no longer then. Editors, and the public, now know what he thinks about press coverage of immigration and, between the lines, they can detect his irritation at not being able to do much about it.
Sadly, but unsurprisingly, he has not identified those newspapers he considers to be particularly “nasty”. No naming and shaming, I’m afraid, so we have to guess which titles have upset him.Sadly, but unsurprisingly, he has not identified those newspapers he considers to be particularly “nasty”. No naming and shaming, I’m afraid, so we have to guess which titles have upset him.
And what about this interesting sentence? “It is frustrating to me as a person with my political views.” Love to know those political views. I’d lay odds they are different from those of the majority of publishers who fund Ipso (not to mention several editors).And what about this interesting sentence? “It is frustrating to me as a person with my political views.” Love to know those political views. I’d lay odds they are different from those of the majority of publishers who fund Ipso (not to mention several editors).
If so, it proves - yet again - what a clever choice it was to appoint Moses. Ipso’s critics may never be reconciled to him but he has managed to give the body enough credibility, while convincing people of his impartiality, to bed in the organisation.If so, it proves - yet again - what a clever choice it was to appoint Moses. Ipso’s critics may never be reconciled to him but he has managed to give the body enough credibility, while convincing people of his impartiality, to bed in the organisation.
If Moses was an entrant on Strictly Come Dancing, I tend to think he would would get maximum marks for his tap-dancing routine! If Moses was an entrant on Strictly Come Dancing, I tend to think he would be awarded maximum marks for his tap-dancing routine!
Bond rightly pointed to the next controversy Ipso/Moses will face when it rules on complaints against Sun columnist Kelvin MacKenzie’s comments about Fatima Manji, the Channel 4 News journalist, wearing a hijab to report on the Nice terrorist attacks in July.Bond rightly pointed to the next controversy Ipso/Moses will face when it rules on complaints against Sun columnist Kelvin MacKenzie’s comments about Fatima Manji, the Channel 4 News journalist, wearing a hijab to report on the Nice terrorist attacks in July.
That decision is likely to emerge within the next 10 days and, whichever way it goes, it is bound to attract criticism. Then Moses will be tested yet again.That decision is likely to emerge within the next 10 days and, whichever way it goes, it is bound to attract criticism. Then Moses will be tested yet again.
I note also that Moses was critical of the Guardian for failing to join Ipso, a position I have long supported. But there are moments when I do see the virtues of Ipso and, in a separate posting later today about one particular incident, I will explain why.I note also that Moses was critical of the Guardian for failing to join Ipso, a position I have long supported. But there are moments when I do see the virtues of Ipso and, in a separate posting later today about one particular incident, I will explain why.