View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

  1. News
October 4, 2011

Ofcom clears Newsnight over Starkey ‘whites have become black’ comments

By Dominic wireposts

Ofcom won’t be taking any action after more than 100 complaints about ‘racist’ comments made by historian David Starkey in the aftermath off the August riots.

Starkey said at one point that “the problem is the whites have become black”.

An Ofcom spokesman told The Independent: “This was a serious and measured discussion within a programme with a well-established nature and format and with reputation for dealing with challenging subjects. The effect of his comments was limited by the presenter’s moderation of the item and his comments were countered by the views of other contributors.”

Here is the video of again of the Starkey Newsnight appearance, the highlight of which has to be hearing him quote from a text message sent out by someone who sympathised with the rioters:
“Pigs shouldnt ov killed dat guy last night init. Den dey wudnt get blown up…galz goin to steal weavee…”

Content from our partners
MHP Group's 30 To Watch awards for young journalists open for entries
How PA Media is helping newspapers make the digital transition
Publishing on the open web is broken, how generative AI could help fix it

Topics in this article : , ,

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

Select and enter your email address Weekly insight into the big strategic issues affecting the future of the news industry. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday. Your morning brew of news about the world of news from Press Gazette and elsewhere in the media. Sent at around 10am UK time. Our weekly does of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. A fortnightly update from the front-line of news and advertising. Aimed at marketers and those involved in the advertising industry.
  • Business owner/co-owner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CTO
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Exec Director
  • Other C-Suite
  • Managing Director
  • President/Partner
  • Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent
  • Director or equivalent
  • Group or Senior Manager
  • Head of Department/Function
  • Manager
  • Non-manager
  • Retired
  • Other
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
Thank you

Thanks for subscribing.

Websites in our network