How much compensation should be paid to a journalist who is insulted by comment is free readers over his beard? The Guardian decided on the princely sum of £75.
This was apparently the amount paid to Paul Markillie, special features editor of The Economist after his report Blue sky thinking was posted on their site last month.
As well as the content of his text, some readers took exception to Paul’s beard saying:
My first instict was to trust you. But I was wrong. You are a marketeer in an environmentalist’s clothing. The beard is piratical rather not ecological.
and
This bloke works for the Economist? I thought he wanted tenpence for a cuppa tea!
and
The bearded one is perhaps pissing into the wind.
I wonder why a payment was made to Paul and how the figure of £75 was reached, and does comment is free make a habit of making similar payments to writers who end up facing personal abuse?
Paul and I used to work together at the Cambridge Evening News, he was very easy going and laid back. He had a beard then and used to smoke like a chimney. Ironically, Guardian Editor Alan Rusbridger was also a fellow hack.
I heard about this today from Paul’s daughter Rebecca who I met a Cambridgeshire Chamber of Commerce networking breakfast in Newmarket. We had a really good giggle about it, she described the payment as “compensation” and told me her father was still very easy going, so I can’t imagine he made a fuss about it. As a professional journalist, I imagine Paul’s concern would be on the accuracy and quality of his work, not his appearance. Why should bearded men be discriminated against this way? It sounds very juvenile.
I just hope Paul went out and had a good time with his £75.
That seems very strange. Why on earth would they pay him £75 and why on earth would they pay him at all?
Serves the Guardian right. They and their readers have been at the forefront of compensation culture.
… and the eradication of humour.
Liz, I suppose it’s better than 75p, at least he can have a good night with it.
I must admit to being unfamiliar with being compensated as this situation describes. But then, I learn something new each time I syop by here!! 🙂
Well I must confess, I discriminate against bearded women, and women with hairy legs.
And I know, not all women like beards on men.
But hell, it saves shaving everyday or twice a day – and worse collar rash on a hot sweaty day
Would I shave it all off for £75 – Nope!
Mind, you I have been known to have a smooth shave – when on a promise – well, I did insist she have a close shave too
Hi Ellee. Good to hear from you again. But I’m afraid this is wrong. The Guardian moderate threads to remove nasty stuff. And £75 is the standard fee for all contributors to Comment is Free – bearded or not. Best wishes, Paul
Oh, wht a shame it wasn’t true!
Hi Paul, Rebecca was adamant about this and I double checked the facts with her several times. She kept telling us how unbelievable it all was and she repeated the same story to several other people. She also told us you were interviewed about it on BBC News 24. She must have got her wires crossed somehow and I do apologise if it has caused you any embarrassment.