THE SUNDAY TIMES has printed an apology for “overstepping the mark” by publishing a controversial column by Kevin Myers last weekend.
The article – entitled ‘Sorry ladies, equal pay has to be earned’ – was criticised as anti-Semitic and sexist. It was removed from the newspaper’s website after a backlash and Myers was fired later that day.
The column suggested men may be paid more than women because they are more “charismatic” and “driven” and work harder. It also suggested that the BBC’s two highest-paid female presenters earn more money because they are Jewish.
Myers wrote: “I note that two of the best-paid women presenters in the BBC – Claudia Winkleman and Vanessa Feltz, with whose, no doubt, sterling work I am tragically unacquainted – are Jewish.
“Good for them. Jews are not generally noted for their insistence on selling their talent for the lowest possible price, which is the most useful measure there is of inveterate, lost-with-all-hands stupidity.”
Last weekend, Frank Fitzgibbon, editor of the Sunday Times in Ireland, released a statement apologising for the “considerable distress and upset” the column caused.
In today’s edition of the newspaper, an apology entitled ‘Overstepping the mark’ stated that the opinion piece “included unacceptable comments that caused offence to many, in particular to the Jewish community”.
“We removed the article and apologised promptly to Claudia Winkleman and Vanessa Feltz, who had been named in the column. Now we apologise to our readers.
Newspapers publish controversial articles that often cause upset. It is important to generate forthright debate about issues affecting our lives. It is also important, however, not to publish comments that overstep the mark. Where this column did so, we are deeply sorry.
The apology did not name Myers or address the criticism he and the newspaper received for what many people viewed as the sexist nature of the column.
Speaking on Today with Seán O’Rourke on RTÉ Radio 1 on Tuesday, Myers apologised, saying: “I am the author of that article, I am the author of my own misfortunes, I am the master of my soul. I must answer for what I have done.”
He denied being misogynistic or anti-Semitic.
During the week, an internal review was initiated by the Sunday Times to establish how the column was cleared for publication.
The Press Ombudsman previously confirmed to TheJournal.ie that a number of complaints were lodged in relation to the article.
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