Enemies of Reason Poundshop potshots at the media moral maze.

Who’s telling Parkies?

That was the headline in a Mail story printed in May last year. As it turns out, the people telling 'Parkies' were, er, the Mail.

Whether you like Parky or not*, it's worth hearing what he has to say about the treatment he received during this episode:

"As a journalist myself, I have been reluctant to take legal action against any newspaper.

"Where defamatory allegations have been published about me, I have always, until now, turned a blind eye.

"During my nearly 60 years as a journalist, I have always believed it was standard journalistic practice, as well as a matter of common decency, for a newspaper to apologise publicly and promptly when they have made a mistake.

"In this case, it should not have taken nine months nor been so difficult for the editor to apologise promptly.

"Moreover, I believe that the persistent delaying tactics of the Daily Mail were both unattractive and unworthy of a national newspaper.

"At a time when the media is seeking greater freedom, I think it is counterproductive for a newspaper to behave in this way."

It's a fairly familiar story by now. People expect - for whatever reason - newspapers to behave responsibly and fairly and to treat people with dignity and respect. They are often surprised when this doesn't happen, particularly in the case of one of Britain's biggest newspaper brands. But it's a story that keeps on happening.

* You probably won't recall me writing about Parkinson's departure from television and radio, but it's putting it mildly to say I'm not a massive fan of the man. No matter.  Reading it back all these years later I seemed to have been a lot more annoyed with him then than I am now. I think it must have been all that Michael Buble; that's the only thing I can put it down to.

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