What does it mean to pay the ferryman?
According to ancient Greek myths, and from a viewing of the 1976 television masterpiece 'I, Claudius' Roman ones too. To be buried in the proper manner at the end of your life a coin was to be placed under your tongue as payment for your transport across the River Styx. If I remember correctly from His Dark Materials Lyra didn't have to pay but still needed to be conveyed across the water to the Land of The Dead. Perhaps the pain of separation from Pantalaimon was cost enough.
In short the Ferryman needed to be paid. But who should pay? Should you have something stored up in reserve or should a trusted friend or guardian help with payment as well as placement of the coin as Claudius did for Livila. Which brings me to Mark Steyn, GB News, Broadcast Regulations and Editorial Compliance.
I first came across, the then jovial and inquiring, Mark Steyn on Box Office, the culture slot within the underrated and sadly underrating Channel Four Daily. The fourth buttons first foray into breakfast television. Later replaced by the brightly coloured Big Breakfast itself to be replaced by the ahead of its time RI:SE. Itself to be replaced by a block of repeats.
Mark Steyn has been off GB News since before Christmas 2022 due to health reasons but his continued absence has been compounded by his resignation over a potential fine from the UK media regulator OfCom. In the past Mr Steyn has aired some extreme views on COVID vaccinations. As a consequence of these the regulator is fining the channel and in turn GB News has passed that cost onto the presenter who said them on their channel, in this case Mr Steyn.
GB News launched in June 2021 and aims to put across a different perspective to existing news channels. Various alumni of Sky, BBC, ITN and other broadcasters along with some new faces were assembled to fulfil the vision. Some 'originals' have stayed, some have left and still more have joined this near constantly live News and opinion based channel.
Which begs the question. If you are employed to have different or challenging views surely your employer should have your back? It appears that All Perspectives Ltd the company behind GB News is taking a 'You break it, you bought it' stance to Mr Steyn’s predicament. You said it, you pay for it.
Although I don't agree with everything I read or watch the UK is a place of free speech. However in the case of broadcasting it is regulated. See Stephen Frys demonstration on Diary of a CEO with Stephen Bartlett. EP201.
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Skip to 59:36 for the full example – contains the strongest language.
You can't just say anything at any time. We know as an audience that certain times of day are set aside for certain things. On linear television there are Gentle mornings, Curious afternoons, Entertaining evenings and then things can get a bit racy after 9pm. On TalkTV Piers Morgan Uncensored isn't even censored but it is regulated. You can’t just say anything without incurring the consequences of any legal or regulatory action. Time slots and audience expectation denote the content and the director will tell you in your ear when you're running out of time.
So if you have a contentious issue and you're going live it's best to check with your legal team and your compliance advisor before going on air. And if you do make a mistake take responsibility, apologise genuinely and learn from it. According to this article Mr Steyn has been rather disparaging of Editorial Compliance but it appears to have been to GB News cost.
My point is this: If you pay someone to be controversial give them every aid at your disposal to help them get their facts right. Catch them when they fall foul of the regulator and help them learn from it. After all whoever pays the piper can call the tune or at least cover their expenses.
An enjoyable read and salient point made