How Terribly Sad For Alistair Stewart After Serving Itn As A Newsreader

[Bobbisox1]

That he’s been forced to step down because of a misjudgement when he called someone and ‘angry ape’ on Twitter
The recipient said he was racist and so ends an unblemished 30 odd years as a newsreader

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-51300799

[Theland]

We are all racists these days apparently.
Disgraceful of ITN.

[emmie]

so sad to read this, he has been a stalwart on our tv screens for over 40 years.

[Bobbisox1]

Twitter has a lot to answer for, according to this mornings news, AS wasn’t sure if the person was male/female and of what colour they might have been , nice to see all his colleagues getting behind him too

[fiction-factory]

It is a minefield. Presumably cheeky monkey is to be avoided too. But I'm not sure its wise or necessary for people with a public profile to use Twitter for such matters

[aelmpvw]

i was always calling my kids 'little monkeys' when they were little, i'm devastated to discover that i am a racist ...

[emmie]

perhaps we will learn what was said and see if
the bosses won't see sense and reinstate him, either that he goes to another broadcaster...

[Maydup]

Why do they do it though? Why use twitter when you're a professional newsreader? Why call anyone an angry ape?

[Bobbisox1]

I agree FF, it can come back to bite them on the bum, one of his working colleagues who herself is Asian has just said she often calls her own son a ‘ cheeky monkey’ and that’s not her being racist toward him, the person on Twitter was acting very angry which prompted AS to say what he did allegedly

[fiction-factory]

I once told a student, politely, to 'pack it in', only for all his mates to accuse me of calling him a pakki (misspelt for censor). Oddly the same pupils refer to themselves using the same word

[Bobbisox1]

Maydup apparently it had something to do with Shakespeare ??? Me not being at all familiar with the work of the Bard, it’s lost on me

[Arrods]

Apparently he'd used this Shakespeare quotation before as a put down to so-called 'experts' in their field, whatever their race.

[Bobbisox1]

Emmie his bosses said he transcended the rules of his editorial career so I doubt they’ll take him back , which is why he’s stood down himself

[emmie]

as you said you have to be very careful what you say.

[Bobbisox1]

It’s totally lost on me Arrods

[naomi24]

Stupidity now reigns supreme.

[grumpy01]

Why would he,a T.V.newsreader,wish to discuss the Royal Family’s finances on Twitter with a total stranger.

[Bobbisox1]

Because that’s what people do , go no further than Donald Trump

[albaqwerty]

depending upon who/what you believe regarding evolution, we can all be angry apes.
The complainant is ignorant as well as stupid and should apologize for being so.

[Deskdiary]

"...he’s been forced to step down because of a misjudgement when he called someone and ‘angry ape’ on Twitter"

He didn't call someone an 'angry ape'.

He used a well-known Shakespeare quote which essentially says a little knowledge is a dangerous thing. The quote has the words 'angry ape' in them, but it is a leap too far to suggest he called the other person an ape.

I understand Alastair Stewart was twittering with a number of people, and yet one person, who just happens to be black, has taken the 'angry ape' completely out of context and become offended. The man offended is a total ***.

This has become ridiculous - the speed at which offense is taken now is absurd.

Surely, for something to be racist, there has to be racist intent, doesn't there? Does anybody really think Alastair Stewart is racist? Because, let's face it, to all intents and purposes he has been sacked for racism (don't be fooled into thinking he resigned of his own volition - ITV would have said to him resign or be sacked).

So, a 40 year TV career down the khazi because (a) one self-absorbed idiot has taken offense over nothing, and (b) ITV/ITN are pathetic lickspittles in not sticking up for him.

[Khandro]

In the murky world of the meeja, nobody would get the sack for such a trivial thing. I'm sure if you dig deeper you will find some other reason, this tiny transgression would be a godsend for one of his enemies waiting to stab him in the back.