Most hacks are in no position to dispense po-faced lectures on journalism - myself included, says Marina Hyde
Sad news from Twitter, where it seems News of the World journalists Dan Wootton and Tom Latchem have fundamentally misunderstood the point of today's piece touching on their lectures to Johann Hari – though I don't think it was especially opaque. Dan is apparently now making reference to things I wrote in diary columns in The Sun and The People a decade ago and claiming that means I can't dispense po-faced lectures on journalism.
May I save you the bother, Dan? THAT WAS MY POINT. I can't, and nor can you.
To clarify, old stick: you can produce every decade-old diary snippet in which I refer to a source or an insider you like. As it goes, getting stories off people who might loosely be termed insiders is what journalists do every day, and the type of people who passed on information to me are presumably little different to the type who help you fill your column. But as I teasingly pointed out to Tom, if one is going to support one's pieces with anonymous quotes, one should at least make sure they say the same thing in different editions of the same week's newspaper, otherwise it looks odd.
The point of my piece about the absurdity of News of the World hacks taking the moral high ground over Johann Hari - as both Dan and Tom have been - was to say: there but for the grace of God go many of us, in some part. Not all, by any means, but many. And to very varying and shaded degrees. Indeed, as I very clearly stated in my piece: I have no pedigree to be a newspaper snob. You can hardly have worked at the People and be a newspaper snob. The point, which appears not to have been made in sufficiently simple words for Dan and Tom to understand, is that neither they – nor I, nor many others – are in a position to be delivering sanctimonious lectures on journalism. They are cordially referred back to the Wilde quote: we are all the gutter, but some of us are looking up Britney's skirt.
I hope that clears up any confusion, my ducks.
PS I fear Dan must tread rather carefully claiming that colleagues of mine made up quotes which I then put into copy. That, I can assure him, has never been the case, and repeating the claim without producing any evidence is not something a serious journalist such as himself should be remotely involved with, unless he fancies a trip down the Strand.
And PPS: The Gawker item Dan has highlighted was resolved entirely amicably, with the person who wrote it writing to me to apologise and accepting that I never took his jokes. I have his very nice and apologetic emails here on file.
She has two blockbuster films set to debut next month and, to help with the promotions, Charlize Theron graces the cover of the June 2012 issue of Madison magazine.The 36-year-old South African actr [ ... ]
Appearing chic and natural, Jennifer Aniston once again appears in two SmartWater ads that are set to release in the June issues of various magazines.The ads feature the 43-year-old actress looking a [ ... ]
After working up a sweat, Elle Fanning was spotted leaving a dance studio in Los Angeles, California on Tuesday (May 15).Carrying a water bottle and her cell phone, the "We Bought A Zoo" actress made [ ... ]
It’s going to be an exciting time in television this fall, as the ABC network has unveiled some fabulous new shows on deck for their primetime schedule.In the months ahead, shows like “666 Park Av [ ... ]
Doing her best to stay in tip-top physical condition, Vanessa Hudgens was spotted heading to the gym for an early workout in Los Angeles, California on Tuesday (May 15).The former "High School Musica [ ... ]
Thomas F Wilson, who played Biff Tannen in the Back to the Future movies, has a unique way of dealing with over-curious fansThe internet is awash with an image of a card that actor Thomas F Wilson pur [ ... ]
After a consultation with her gender reassignment surgeon, the reality of impending surgery dawns on Juliet Jacques. Is she doing the right thing?I'm finally moving towards the second major stage of t [ ... ]
If Adele, Beyoncé, Lady Gaga and Nicki Minaj are proud to talk about their wigs, there's hope for those of us with bad hairWigs seem to have gone mainstream. How? And why?Orla McGarry, BelfastAs ever [ ... ]
Was your baby's name inspired by a Kardashian, a Twilight werewolf or the reality TV show Glam Fairy? You're not aloneDepending on your view of the world, the name Jacob either makes you think of the [ ... ]
Inspired by the success of Ashleigh and Pudsey, I tried to teach Nellie some new tricks …The triumph of Ashleigh and Pudsey in the Britain's Got Talent final has already got pet-owners across the na [ ... ]
Yoga can help fight stiffness, hardening of the arteries, hormonal fluctuations, depression and loss of bone density. And, says Josephine Fairley, you can start at any ageLooking at the famous photogr [ ... ]
A grinning Maria Menounos had reason to celebrate on Monday night’s (April 30) episode of “Dancing with the Stars” - as she and partner Derek Hough received a perfect score.They are the first [ ... ]
Ready to pass out another batch of golden popcorn trophies, the nominees for the 2012 MTV Movie Awards were unveiled on Monday evening (April 30).With the show being held at the Gibson Amphitheater i [ ... ]
It's been one week since the murder trial for Jennifer Hudson's three family members got underway and, on Monday (April 30), the judge released the emotional 911 call from the "Dreamgirls" star's sis [ ... ]
Coming as music to her adoring fans' ears, Jennifer Lopez took center stage at Boulevard3 in Hollywood, California to make a big announcement on Monday afternoon (April 30).Looking dashing in a peach [ ... ]
Helping to unveil the new look of the network that made them household names, the Kardashian sisters along with their momager, Kris Jenner, attended the E! 2012 Upfront on Monday (April 30).Before hea [ ... ]
'Debo' has sartorial wisdom to share – however old you areI am a 65-year-old woman. Where on the high street should I be buying my clothes?Margaret, BristolI'm going to let you in on a little secret [ ... ]
Once, Nigella ruled. Now there's a battle for her domestic goddess crown – and style is just as important as the ability to whip up a crème brûlée. Meet the contenders…Rachel KhooStyle From her [ ... ]
The 'natural beauty' Beyoncé has taken to Twitter and Tumblr to show us how normal she looks, but that's no bad thingBeyoncé is the most beautiful woman in the world – People magazine told me so. [ ... ]
Looking as if she's all healed up following her blender incident, Miley Cyrus paid a visit to a local Burbank, CA hospital for a doctor's appointment on Thursday (April 26).Accompanied by her mother, [ ... ]
Though she always looks flawless in every outfit we see her in, Scarlett Johansson explained that she's just like every other woman when it comes to body insecurities.In an interview with ITV1's Dayb [ ... ]
With just over two weeks left until its theatrical release is upon us, Phase 4 Films has debuted the red band trailer for the upcoming film titled "Hick".Released via Yahoo! Movies, the two and a half [ ... ]
Capping off a full day in the spotlight, Prince William and Kate Middleton made their grand arrival at the Imperial War Museum in London, England on Thursday evening (April 26).With the Duchess of C [ ... ]
It has been seven years since she split from Brad Pitt, and Jennifer Aniston doesn’t particularly care that her ex popped the question to Angelina Jolie.The “Friends” actress, who is in a lov [ ... ]
