In a recent turn of events, British leaders have come forward to defend the media and urge Prince Harry to leave the country immediately.
The Duke of Sussex, who has long been at odds with the British press, claims that his fight against them will garner sympathy due to longstanding allegations of phone hacking, some of which implicate the Duke himself.
Earlier this year, British newspaper editors declared campaigning as Prince Harry’s life’s work.
However, recent data compiled by UGO in April shows that he is disliked by 63% of Britons and only loved by 29%, resulting in a net approval rating of minus 34.
Similarly, his wife Meghan Markle has a net approval rating of minus 41, with just 24% of the public in favor and 65% disapproving, according to Edward James, CEO of PR firm Sail to Newsweek.
If there is a significant public backlash against the British press, it could have a profound impact and force British leaders to intervene.
Prince Harry’s unpopularity in the UK is the simple explanation for his declining support among British audiences.
Leading a change of this magnitude against such adversaries requires strong leadership, but it remains to be seen if his actions will win the sympathy of the British press.
In a high court witness statement, Prince Harry expressed his suspicion that his friends were turning against him following the alleged phone hacking by journalists from the Mirror Group.
He revealed, “I had the terrible feeling that I couldn’t trust anyone, especially given my young age.
It affected my childhood when I learned about the extent of illegal acts committed by journalists.”
While the message conveyed in Prince Harry’s statement is not new, it highlights the ongoing battle against press intrusion.
The initial complaint was filed by Palace staff on behalf of Prince William, which led to the admission of guilt by News of the World editor Royal Clive Goodman and a private investigator for tapping into Prince William’s answering machine in the 2000s.
This incident involved Rebecca Brooks, the current CEO of Murdoch S. The subsequent Leveson Review in 2012 recommended a global public review of UK press behavior, but critics argue that these recommendations have not been fully implemented.
Prince Harry’s case primarily aims to ensure that his name is added to the list of those whose phones were violated by the Mirror Group.
His targets include individuals like Piers Morgan, who has consistently denied any involvement or instructed staff members to do so.
However, the Mirror Group states that there is no evidence of its reporters hacking into the Duke’s phone and only acknowledges one instance of illegal intelligence gathering.
Critics argue that criticizing the media in such a manner can potentially damage the important message and cause of protecting privacy rights.
Striking a balance between the public’s right to know and an individual’s right to a private life is crucial.
Prince Harry’s campaign against press abuse may inadvertently be perceived as an attack on press freedom, especially by those who already distrust or dislike him.
It is important to note that Prince Harry’s testimony does not revolve around freedom of the press in general.
Rather, it focuses on the invasion of his own privacy and seeks to hold the press accountable for their actions.
While some argue that the boundaries of press conduct have already been established, Prince Harry’s case highlights the ongoing struggle to protect personal privacy in the face of media intrusion.
As this legal battle unfolds, it will be interesting to see how public opinion evolves regarding Prince Harry’s support or lack thereof.
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