Harry & Meghan: Legal Actions against the Media

[Duke of Marmalade]

Harry going to a full war with the press will give the same press fodder for many months to come and will be toxic for the whole institution because it distracts from the purpose to no end, it will polarize and divide public opinon. Especially the second lawsuits screams 'revenge', it seems that Harry has now decided to burn all bridges with fire accelerant.

[Dman]

Originally Posted by Somebody

Harry's statement was rather public. That was what Xenia was referring to if I'm not mistaken.

I fully understand them taking action but if this second lawsuit is truly about something that happened years and years ago that seems more like revenge than anything else. And that in itself doesn't look good (even if fully justified; in that case they are mainly on a hunt to find anything to hurt those who hurt them).

The other thing that concerns me is that Harry's statement was released on their private website that hadn't been used before (if I understand it correctly); that - in combination with it being their own money that is being used - raises the question whether the rest of the family agrees with this course of action (or at least statement); because if so, why wasn't it released via the normal channels? Of course, they are their own people and can do as they see fit but at the same time they play a part in a bigger whole (the position they have and the life they want to lead completely depends on it) and if the key players in that 'bigger picture' don't agree with either the statement or the lawsuit itself, it could get complicated.

We still don’t know the full details on the second lawsuit.

Yes, his statement was public. It had to be done that way to get the point across. He was rather nice, appropriate and diplomatic in his statement. If it was up to me, I would’ve put all kinds of four letter words in the statement, but that’s just me. He’s just one step away from actually doing that though.

I’m sure the family knew what Harry was going to do long before he did it. Harry have too much respect for his grandmother and father than to just spring a surprise on them. Perhaps they just decided to allow Harry and Meghan to handle this in the way they see fit, but it bothers me that the family have remained totally silent on the campaign launched against Meghan. I know all about the family long held motto “never complain, never explain” but this campaign has been extremely vicious and is full of racist undertones and it was done without a morsel of pushback from the family she married into. Perhaps they just decided to allow Harry and Meghan to handle this in the way they see fit, but it bothers me that the family have remained totally silent on the campaign launched against Meghan.

[Gawin]

Originally Posted by Duke of Marmalade

Harry going to a full war with the press will give the same press fodder for many months to come and will be toxic for the whole institution because it distracts from the purpose to no end, it will polarize and divide public opinon. Especially the second lawsuits screams 'revenge', it seems that Harry has now decided to burn all bridges with fire accelerant.

That's definitely a risk he's taking.

I'm undecided about all of this. On the one hand the couple got glowing reviews during their recent tour. Why not capitalize on that and move on?

On the other hand, I'm on the outside looking in. I'm not on the receiving end. Harry's dealt with the media all his life and obviously he believes this s**t will never end unless he takes drastic measures.

At this point I'm just hoping for the best. For Harry & Meghan, that is, not the media.

[Dman]

Originally Posted by Gawin

That's definitely a risk he's taking.

I'm undecided about all of this. On the one hand the couple got glowing reviews during their recent tour. Why not capitalize on that and move on?

On the other hand, I'm on the outside looking in. I'm not on the receiving end. Harry's dealt with the media all his life and obviously he believes this s**t will never end unless he takes drastic measures.

At this point I'm just hoping for the best. For Harry & Meghan, that is, not the media.

That’s because the glowing reviews they were getting from the tour was always going to be temporary. Just as soon as their plane landed back in the UK, the campaign was going to resume. Harry pointed out the double standard in his statement.

[Duc_et_Pair]

Originally Posted by Rudolph

I agree the titles aren’t nearly as profitable as they once were but the owners still have deep pockets. Viscount Rothermere is worth somewhere around £1.5 billion.

News of the World went bust. The owner (Murdoch) had equally deep pockets. Proof that seemingly invulnerable media can be hit hard when Lady Justitia wants to set an example.

[Rudolph]

Originally Posted by Duc_et_Pair

News of the World went bust. The owner (Murdoch) had equally deep pockets. Proof that seemingly invulnerable media can be hit hard when Lady Justitia wants to set an example.

Yes but NoTW went bust not because Rupert Murdoch couldn’t afford to keep it afloat. There were other powers at play.

My point is a million dollar fine to a billionaire isn’t enough to work up a sweat.

[Duc_et_Pair]

Originally Posted by Duke of Marmalade

Harry going to a full war with the press will give the same press fodder for many months to come and will be toxic for the whole institution because it distracts from the purpose to no end, it will polarize and divide public opinon. Especially the second lawsuits screams 'revenge', it seems that Harry has now decided to burn all bridges with fire accelerant.

Not so strange for someone who saw his very own mother mercilessly hunted by the heyenas and jackals of the tabloids. We are used to British vile media, but what happened to the Duchess, without any particular reason, was a pure assassin by proxy. Never ever I have seen a royal being so trashed. And what for? What has she ever done to get such a treatment? The Duke is right to take all legal means available to protect his family for a repeating of history.

[Duke of Marmalade]

Originally Posted by Duc_et_Pair

Not so strange for someone who saw his very own mother mercilessly hunted by the heyenas and jackals of the tabloids. We are used to British vile media, but what happened to the Duchess, without any particular reason, was a pure assassin by proxy. Never ever I have seen a royal being so trashed. And what for? What has she ever done to get such a treatment? The Duke is right to take all legal means available to protect his family for a repeating of history.

It always takes 2 to tango, it did with Diana as we all know and it does with Meghan. And the problem is that there is either black or white, no middle ground anymore. Opinion is divided and both sides are more and more aggressively holding their ground (I am not referring to you or the tone of your post). The lawsuits won't stop but only increase that.

[Dman]

Originally Posted by Duke of Marmalade

It always takes 2 to tango, it did with Diana as we all know and it does with Meghan. And the problem is that there is either black or white, no middle ground anymore. Opinion is divided and both sides are more and more aggressively holding their ground (I am not referring to you or the tone of your post). The lawsuits won't stop but only increase that.

Harry’s mother had no one to protect her. Harry is letting everyone know he’s gonna protect his wife. If folks don’t like it, that’s too bad. His statement spoke volumes on that.

Meghan hasn’t done anything to bring about the campaign against her. No one should fault a man for getting upset for slamming his wife because they can’t accept Meghan for being Meghan.

[Gawin]

From an article by Alex Barker in yesterday's Financial Times:

"People close to the Duke say he sees himself mounting a bigger campaign against a manipulative and deceitful press - the rot in Britain's civic life."

[Somebody]

Originally Posted by Dman

We still don’t know the full details on the second lawsuit.

Yes, his statement was public. It had to be done that way to get the point across. He was rather nice, appropriate and diplomatic in his statement. If it was up to me, I would’ve put all kinds of four letter words in the statement, but that’s just me. He’s just one step away from actually doing that though.

I would sincerely hope he would refrain from that. I am sure Michelle Obama's mantra 'when they go low, we go high' is well known to them.

I’m sure the family knew what Harry was going to do long before he did it. Harry have too much respect for his grandmother and father than to just spring a surprise on them. Perhaps they just decided to allow Harry and Meghan to handle this in the way they see fit, but it bothers me that the family have remained totally silent on the campaign launched against Meghan.

I am quite sure they KNEW (especially since it had been months in the making - although the official statement doesn't say a word about the queen and prince of Wales being informed; that information was probably shared separately) but that is not the same as them agreeing with the way they are handling it. The fact that this statement was not published through their BP office speaks volumes. It could be that they fully support the lawsuit but not the statement or the other way around. If they were completely on board, I would have expected a different course of action. Nonetheless, now H&M chose taking this route, I assume they support them and hope for the best.

[alvinking]

by the way, isn't it funny that it is the first weekend in years that there is no story about the Sussexes except a cotton candy type story in the Sun?

Check this headline MEG-A CUTE Meghan Markle and Prince Harry share a video of their favourite Africa tour moments-including Baby Archie's first royal outing

With pink and all I guess this the lawsuit effect

[Somebody]

Originally Posted by Gawin

From an article by Alex Barker in yesterday's Financial Times:

"People close to the Duke say he sees himself mounting a bigger campaign against a manipulative and deceitful press - the rot in Britain's civic life."

I hope not. It seems a really bad idea for a royal to take on the press 'in general'. That's rather different from trying to make them toe the line on royal reporting.

[Dman]

Originally Posted by Somebody

I would sincerely hope he would refrain from that. I am sure Michelle Obama's mantra 'when they go low, we go high' is well known to them.


I am quite sure they KNEW (especially since it had been months in the making - although the official statement doesn't say a word about the queen and prince of Wales being informed; that information was probably shared separately) but that is not the same as them agreeing with the way they are handling it. The fact that this statement was not published through their BP office speaks volumes. It could be that they fully support the lawsuit but not the statement or the other way around. If they were completely on board, I would have expected a different course of action. Nonetheless, now H&M chose taking this route, I assume they support them and hope for the best.

If the family don’t support the statement, then shame on them. Everything Harry laid out in his statement truly summed up what’s been going on in this smear campaign. The family should not only back it, but they should publicly rally around Meghan. The way she’s been treated can’t be justified and nor should it be accepted by the royal family.

[Gawin]

Originally Posted by Somebody

I hope not. It seems a really bad idea for a royal to take on the press 'in general'. That's rather different from trying to make them toe the line on royal reporting.

That's not what the statement means. Harry's not taking on the press 'in general.'

He sees his own treatment by the media (and Meghan's) as part of a bigger issue - "a manipulative and deceitful press - the rot in Britain's civic life." Some elements within the media have a long history of playing fast and loose with the truth, sometimes ruining lives in the process. I suspect Harry thinks its time for all of this "rot" to stop - not only for Meghan and himself - but for other media victims as well.

[Duc_et_Pair]

Originally Posted by Gawin

From an article by Alex Barker in yesterday's Financial Times:

"People close to the Duke say he sees himself mounting a bigger campaign against a manipulative and deceitful press - the rot in Britain's civic life."

The British tabloids are hors categorie when it comes to vile, nasty campaigns. Indeed the rot in British civic life because with 24/24 and 7/7 availability of media, any spin, fake news, bubble is extremely damaging. Beyond comparison with Diana's pre-internet media treatment. Good that now the prey shows it can claw back too.

[victor1319]

Originally Posted by Gawin

Well, it's certainly a story that will get Peter Hunt clicks. Brilliant move on his part.

Personally, I'm skeptical. Through their hard work the Sussexes have clearly demonstrated they plan to use the power & influence their positions afford them to champion the causes they care about. They're not gonna let go of that.

I don't know... At some point Prince Harry must realize, that his offspring will not be on the royal list. And then he must monetize - as some kind of trade representative towards Africa or something, where he makes some pounds.

Sounds ugly - but the necessities life can be ugly...

Or he goes to America! And makes the monies there... He becomes the Senator of California, democrat of course; and Meghan takes over Oprah Winfrey's role. They would be a huuuuge success!

[Gawin]

Originally Posted by victor1319

I don't know... At some point Prince Harry must realize, that his offspring will not be on the royal list. And then he must monetize - as some kind of trade representative towards Africa or something, where he makes some pounds.

Sounds ugly - but the necessities life can be ugly...

Or he goes to America! And makes the monies there... He becomes the Senator of California, democrat of course; and Meghan takes over Oprah Winfrey's role. They would be a huuuuge success!

Anne's children aren't royal, neither are Edward's, and Andrew's aren't working royals. I don't think this is an issue for Harry and Meghan. Besides, Meghan did just fine financially before she was on the royal list.

[victor1319]

Originally Posted by Gawin

Anne's children aren't royal, neither are Edward's, and Andrew's aren't working royals. I don't think this is an issue for Harry and Meghan. Besides, Meghan did just fine financially before she was on the royal list.

Sorry, but I forgot, what I wanted to say: If Harry wants to makes his monies IN the UK, he will have to find a good position towards the press, some kind of friendly agreement. Otherwise Archie and his possible offspring will be poor.

In the last generation Prince Andrew, who is comparable to Harry, including Helicopters and all, made some monies with kazakh oligarchs and so on - he was a trade representative....

And in the USA the press can be ugly too! Ask Mr. Trump...

Harry is too old, to revenge his mother or something.

[Somebody]

Originally Posted by Gawin

That's not what the statement means. Harry's not taking on the press 'in general.'

He sees his own treatment by the media (and Meghan's) as part of a bigger issue - "a manipulative and deceitful press - the rot in Britain's civic life." Some elements within the media have a long history of playing fast and loose with the truth, sometimes ruining lives in the process. I suspect Harry thinks its time for all of this "rot" to stop - not only for Meghan and himself - but for other media victims as well.

The message I responded to alluded to something much bigger than Harry's private legal fight (at least that's how I interpreted it). If he intends to broaden his fight, that would be a bad thing. If he just thinks that by these lawsuits he is playing a small part in a bigger fight, that would make sense to me.