Kelvin Mackenzie Is Thinking About Lodging An Official Complain About Fatima Manji's Hajib

[sp1814]

From his column in The Sun (the link at the bottom is to the Independent, because the Sun is behind a paywall):

I will be looking at making a formal complaint to Ofcom under the section of the broadcasting code which deals with impartiality.

Since the question of religious motivation was central to the coverage of the Nice attack, I would ask whether it is appropriate for a newsreader to wear religious attire that could undermine the viewer's perception of impartiality

http://indy100.independent.co.uk/article/kelvin-mackenzie-is-thinking-about-an-offical-complaint-about-fatima-manjis-hijab--byxQgHfLUZ

Do you think he has a point?

[andy-hughes]

AOG - //Why don't we now put an end to all this, it is getting rather boring? //

Put simply - because others find it far from boring, hence the vibrant debate that is still continuing.

[sp1814]

AOG

You're more than welcome to ignore this thread.

Whenever I find something boring (such as five day cricket matches, Coldplay albums or quinoa) I simply avoid it.

[mikey4444]

Actually, I am tending to agree with AOG here ( ! )

The continual debate about what some Muslim women wear and what other Muslim women don't wear is decidedly tedious.

However, the debate about Mackenzie and hiss right to be offended is far from tedious.

I repeat here....I hope he does complain to OFCOM, as it will show what a prat he is.

[naomi24]

andy-hughes at 11:32 Wed: yes I can understand why you missed it. Too intent on creating waves in other directions.

[anotheoldgit]

mikey4444

/// Actually, I am tending to agree with AOG here ( ! ) ///

Why thank you mikey, but be careful agreeing with me can get you in trouble.

/// However, the debate about Mackenzie and hiss right to be offended is far from
tedious. ///

Right back to the question "Do you think he has a point"?

"YES", but that is my opinion, which may differ from others, so feel free to put "NO".

There you go, instead of this thread becoming an extension to the one posted the other day, this one could have been completed in a few Yes, Nos, job done.

[andy-hughes]

mikey - //The continual debate about what some Muslim women wear and what other Muslim women don't wear is decidedly tedious.

However, the debate about Mackenzie and hiss right to be offended is far from tedious. //

My point entirely - the other thread - disappeared in a welter of religious debate, which was not the point of the OP - and now this one is doing the same.

I think we should endeavour to stick to the point of the Question - does Mr Mackenzie have a valid point in thinking about lodging a complaint or not - the issue is that - not the rights of wrongs of wearing a hajib.

[jambutty]

Good for him.

[Ellipsis]

> does Mr Mackenzie have a valid point in thinking about lodging a complaint or not

There's not a lot to say about this. I can't add to what I said several pages ago ...

------------------------------------------------
MacKenzie is an expert at keeping things in the news, and that's all this is. He has no intention of complaining to Ofcom as he knows what the outcome will be. He is a nasty, cynical piece of work and if you use this piece of so-called "news" ("I'm considering reporting this to Ofcom") in order to continue the same lengthy debate that we've already had then you're doing exactly what he wants you to do.

[Khandro]

Ellipsis; Maybe he is what you call, "keeping things in the news" because he has a point to make, one of which I happen to agree with.

[sp1814]

Khandro

Which point do you agree with?

[Khandro]

sp; see my post at 10:29

[andy-hughes]

There you go sp - not only does Ms. Maji have the temerity to dress as she chooses, she has the nerve to come on and be a lousy presenter as well!

I think Mr Mackenzie may have forgotten that bit in his original rant, but I do hope he makes full mention of it in his 'complaint' - don't you?

[Ellipsis]

He made his point in his original article.

The fact that he is supposedly considering reporting it to Ofcom is not a point, and it's not newsworthy.

He won't report it to Ofcom as he knows what the outcome will be - very similar to Channel 4's own response, which was:

----------------------------------
The comments published in The Sun today by Mr MacKenzie are offensive, completely unacceptable, and arguably tantamount to inciting religious and even racial hatred. It is wrong to suggest that a qualified journalist should be barred from reporting on a particular story or present on a specific day because of their faith.

[naomi24]

andy-hughes at 14:15: Some people have said they think he has a point, others have said they don't. What's to discuss?

[Khandro]

^^ Which evades the point completely.

[Khandro]

for Ellipsis ^

[naomi24]

^The point being?

[naomi24]

Sorry, Khandro, I thought that was to me.

[andy-hughes]

Naomi - //andy-hughes at 14:15: Some people have said they think he has a point, others have said they don't. What's to discuss? //

That logic applies to every debate question on this section.

In future, you can post "I agree", and I'll post "I don't agree" and occasionally we'll swap them round, and on odd days, we can respond with "So do I" and we never need discuss anything ever again.

Of course, you will be denied an opportunity to flash your religious knowledge, but that's the price we pay for not discussing anything any more.

[Ellipsis]

> Which evades the point completely.

What, the point in his original article? We did that to death. Nothing has changed except he is now apparently considering reporting to Ofcom. But he won't.