Piers Morgan is being praised and criticised at the same time over two separate interviews | indy100

Israeli spokesman freezes when Piers Morgan asks how many civilians killed in war

Piers Morgan Uncensored

In a fine example of just how controversial former TalkTV host Piers Morgan can be in the eyes of the general public, the Uncensored presenter is currently receiving both praise and criticism online for two very different interviews this week – one involving Israeli government spokesman Avi Hyman, and the other concerning a chat with the woman reported to be the real-life ‘Martha’ depicted in Netflix hit Baby Reindeer.

On Tuesday’s edition of Piers Morgan Uncensored, now hosted online on a dedicated YouTube channel, Hyman was grilled by Morgan on the latest developments in Gaza - including the number of civilians killed by the Israeli Defence Force.

The spokesman said: “We don’t have the exact figures. As you know, it’s the fog of war…”

Morgan pressed further: “You’ve got exact numbers for the Hamas terrorists you’ve killed, why wouldn’t you know how many civilians you’ve killed?”

Hyman replied: “Because obviously, our focus is to go after the Hamas terrorists…”

Morgan interjected: “But hang on, that does imply that you’re putting a bigger premium on killing Hamas terrorists in terms of numbers and accountability, than you are innocent civilians - that can’t be right, surely?

“If you know exactly how many Hamas terrorists you’ve killed, you must know how many civilians you’ve killed, otherwise you’re prioritising the lives of terrorists over innocent people.”

After a five-minute clip of the longer interview was shared to social media, viewers have praised the “exemplary” display of journalism:

Every so often, Piers Morgan does actual journalism and it's like watching one of those videos of an old ballerina with Alzheimers remembering a dance or a WWII veteran remembering when he flew a P-51 Mustang in the war.
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Piers Morgan is so strange. He\u2019s like a children\u2019s toy with a switch in the back labeled \u201ccritical thinking\u201d and no one knows when it will be flipped on or why.
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Appear to have fallen into a parallel universe where Piers does some excellent journalism
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Y'all, Piers Morgan did a journalism. Who knew he had it in him?! Please watch this extremely revealing exchange.
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This, however, was soon contrasted by the news that, on Thursday’s edition of his programme, he would be interviewing Fiona Harvey, who he described as the “real-life Martha” who inspired the character in the Netflix series, Baby Reindeer.

Written by and starring Richard Gadd, and drawing from his real-life experience (it’s also based on a stage play of the same name), the limited series follows a comedian who is stalked by a woman named ‘Martha’ after offering her a free cup of tea at a bar he works at.

Following Morgan’s announcement of the interview on social media, people have slammed the “world exclusive” as “irresponsible”:

exploiting someone who is - if baby reindeer is accurate in its representation - very clearly mentally unwell in the name of \u201csetting the record straight\u201d not only puts her in danger but also allows richard gadd\u2019s (likely) trauma to be debated for what?? fun?? vile
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This story has highlighted the many issues we have in British journalism when it comes to duty of care to contributors and training on mental health reporting. This woman is clearly mentally unwell + vulnerable. Journalists need to stop giving her air time so they can go \u2018viral\u2019
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This the worst kind of 'journalism.' No duty of care for someone who is clearly unwell. It all starts with Netflix, though. No compliance, no safeguarding - just reckless.
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There\u2019s a lot to say around this, but I think the inclusion of \u201cIs she a psycho stalker?\u201d speaks volumes
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this is journalism in the absolute gutter btw, and everyone who has contributed to this discourse with articles and clickbait should be ashamed of themselves
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Clearly profiting of someone who\u2019s unwell what a twat
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The upcoming interview is despite Gadd issuing a statement on social media last month urging internet sleuths not to speculate on the real-life identities of those featured in the series - not just Martha (played by Jessica Gunning), but also a TV executive named ‘Darrien’ (played by Tom Goodman-Hill) who groomed and sexually assaulted Gadd.

He said: “People I love, have worked with, and admire (including Sean Foley) are unfairly caught up in speculation. Please don’t speculate on who any of the real-life people could be. That’s not the point of our show. Lots of love, Richard x X.”

Foley is the outgoing artistic director of the Birmingham Repertory Theatre, and in his on post on social media sharing Gadd’s statement, he added: “Police have been informed and are investigating all defamatory abusive and threatening posts against me.”

Morgan’s interview with Harvey is set to go live on the Piers Morgan Uncensored YouTube channel at 8pm (12pm PT/3pm ET) on Thursday.

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