QUICK DISCLAIMER: All views & OPINIONS expressed in Matt's Column are his own and the topics are that of his own choice. Comments are welcome below, however please make them relevant to the topic only.
Matthew Wright is one of those broadcasters who simply says things as they are. No filters and no concern about any form of backlash. This week has seen Jeremy Clarkson publicly slammed after stating that all public sector workers “should be shot” thus causing mass media outrage with thousands upon thousands of complaints after his appearance on the One Show with many calling for him to be sacked by the BBC.
This time Matthew Wright is in trouble after making a joke about murdered 16-year-old Scottish teenager Liam Aitchinson. Viewers reacted furiously when the controversial broadcaster discussed the story on his leading Channel 5 morning show by using a well known phrase from leading Scottish TV drama Taggart.
Mr Wright put on a Scottish accent and quipped 'There's been a murder' as he discussed the first Isle of Lewis murder in 40 years.
Panellist Charlie Baker then got involved with Mr Wright's joke by saying it was the 'longest episode of Taggart ever'.
After laughter from the studio audience and fellow panelists, he then added: 'There's a lot of downtime in between.'
After the show, it is believed many have complained to media regulator Ofcom, however, they haven’t confirmed as to how many people raised the issue. A Facebook group has been setup entitled “Report The Wright Stuff to Ofcom” and has thus far received hundreds of support.
Norman Aitchison, the father of the murdered Stornoway teenager, slammed Channel 5, saying he was 'disgusted' by the presenters words.
Writing on The Wright Stuff's website, Mr Aitchison wrote: 'Would your panel members be making a joke of this if it was one of their own children?
'My son's death is no joke and I am disgusted with every single one of you on that panel.
'Let my son rest in peace, love you Liam - shine on you crazy diamond xxx.'
Channel 5 have since removed the comments from its website along with the actual episode from its catchup service.
An Ofcom spokesman confirmed that complaints had been received but refused to disclose how many.
He said: 'We are in the process of assessing those complaints. We have not made any decision to investigate those complaints at this stage.'
He said an investigation could not be ruled out.
I think I am going to be unpopular with my response to this, however, this and indeed the same with Jeremy Clarkson’s comments have been taken once again out of proportion by people who seemingly lead sad little lives with nothing better to do other than complain and attempt to make a successful media personalities life that of a mockery. These comments where a JOKE. Has this country lost all sense of humour? If we didn’t have humour we would all plod along with our daily lives being miserable and depressed. Never has there been such a bunch of morons that have to take everything to heart. In regards to Jeremy Clarkson, I find him obnoxious, tedious and tremendously irritating and most importantly... not funny! Yet even I can see that he was joking, albeit bad taste, is there seriously some pathetic individuals in this country that would complain to Ofcom in thinking that MR Clarkson genuinely DOES think all strikers should have been shot? This country needs to simply get a grip! Matthew Wright is an extremely well experienced broadcaster and journalist, yes controversial and strictly speaking it may not have been the best move to try and make a joke out of a serious situation, maybe it was a little disrespectful, however, the mass outcry is quite frankly a bloody outrage! Why is there such a bunch of offensive comments being directed at Matthew Wright? If you aren’t a fan of his presenting style, his show or humour you simply turn you telly off. The personal remarks which have been made about him far outweigh the joke he made in regards to the Scottish teenager. He was simply making an uplifting joke about something which is unbearably depressing and stories of this nature and sort seem to be all over the headlines and quite honestly I ask the question if we simply even want to know about all these deaths and murders? It may have come across a little disrespectful, so yes I can thoroughly understand MR Aitchison’s reaction, however, the mass public reaction is nothing other than ridiculous, unnecessary and quite frankly absurd.
Another example would be that of Madeleine McCann, I’m sorry it was a tragic incident and something of which I or nobody else could ever understand, however, 4 years down the line for goodness sake the rate as to how much this story is still getting media coverage is beyond ridiculous. The naive people who believe some form of evidence shall be found at this stage are being simply unrealistic. I am not the first person to say how sick they are of seeing Gerry & Kate McCann in the papers with what is seemingly a transfixed look on their face. They have managed to somehow get large amounts of money this far down the line and there seriously must be a stage of admitting when you need to simply just give up and get a grip to the fact that the disappearance shall remain unsolved? There has been much negative media reaction to Gerry & Kate McCann and the fact that they have had such a tragic loss shall never change but then you can easily say... that simply they should never have left her alone in the apartment in the first place whilst they proceeded to have a nice and quiet evening meal.
Matthew Wright has apologised, however, in my opinion to do it so publicly was beyond unnecessary. Maybe a personal apology to that of Liam Aitchinson’s father would have been appropriate... yet to make such a public big deal about it all purely and simply shows that Britain can no longer take anything with a pinch of salt, everything has to be politically correct and even the slighted hint of a controversial comment turns into nothing but a media storm... utterly ludicrous!
Good on Matthew Wright for dealing with this latest storm in a teacup so elegantly and professionally.
Speaking on his show the day after, he apologised but he told those campaigning for people to complain to 'grow up'.
He said he had been 'touched by death' himself, and did not mean to make light of the matter.
He said: 'I know that some of you have been upset by some comments made during yesterday's newspaper review about the murder of Liam Aitchison in Stornoway and I would like to apologise if that was the case.
'Certainly, no intention on my part to belittle the seriousness or the tragedy of this story, or to offend anyone who knew Liam.'
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