I have an untested theory that journalists who leave publications on points of principle ultimately prosper – because such people are a rarity.
I won’t retell the story of Richard Peppiatt here, The Guardian has done a good job of that. And I won’t get into the murky claims, and counter claims that are being made.
The quick summary is that Peppiatt left his job as a reporter at the Daily Star by writing an extraordinary letter to proprietor Richard Desmond to denounce the paper’s journalism – and did so publicly by leaking the letter to The Guardian.
In the letter he admits to being involved in made-up showbiz stories, but says his decision to leave the paper followed coverage of the English Defence League, and a controversial front-page story about it becoming a political party – which he believes was wrongly hyped-up.
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Many a morning I’ve hit my speed dial button to Muslim rent-a-rant Anjem Choudary to see if he fancied pulling together a few lines about whipping drunks or stoning homosexuals.
Our caustic “us and them” narrative needs nailing home every day or two, and when asked to wield the hammer I was too scared for my career, and my bank account, to refuse…
He is now facing threats and intimidation from we know not where following his stand.
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Whatever the rights or wrongs of the case Peppiatt is clearly a brave and principled journalist (OK, albeit one who has only become brave and principled after being involved in some fairly mucky stuff). And his resignation letter shows he can write. I don’t think he will stay out of work for long. I believe he can be contacted via Twitter.
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