Below are a few links to follow while I have photoshopper’s block over a new image on the Prince Harry story - It’s bloody difficult to come up with something that hits its target with no collateral damage.
I don’t want the image to be misconstrued or give some the opportunity to deliberately do so.
No way will I have a pop at the forces and, although I’ve had a pop or two at Harry before, those were about different events.
He’s done what most of us wouldn’t have had the bottle to do and would’ve had an easy out if he’d chosen.
So, again, I’m not going to have a go at him … over this, but I already have and probably will continue to use him in an Afghan setting/reference for more lighthearted gags.
Now, the media for remaining silent? - no. But the gushing over the past couple of days and for the forseeable future - oh yes.
And the politicians and those in Whitehall who (I believe) are turning this into a major PR spectacle and possibly a recruiting drive - oh yes.
It will be interesting to see if (despite cost penalties for booking late) the current army recruitment campaign is beefed up.
Anyone with access to TV or radio ratings data should keep an eye on things.
Some serious reporters at Sky News will be shitting themselves right now at the prospect of how Kay Burley might approach the Harry story after the way she handled the exclusive interview with the former partner of murderer Steve Wright.
Will Burley get an exclusive with Prince Harry’s girlfriend Chelsy Davy and, referring to his tour of Afghanistan, ask her “Do you think if you’d had a better sex life, he wouldn’t have done this?”
The links I mentioned :
“While his bravery and commitment are beyond doubt, his 10-week stint in Helmand has revealed itself as a PR recruiting stunt, cooked up by the MoD and facilitated by the media’s collusion.” - Leo Docherty - Independent On Sunday.
“The army and government have had good service from their most famous soldier. Pity those left behind” - Catherine Bennett - The Observer with a storming paragraph towards the end “Indeed, there can hardly be medals and honours enough to reward the officials whose manipulation of the media …..”
“Media takes the hit and war gets its poster boy” - From Ian Bell at The Herald.
