Word Magazine publicly apologizes to Morrissey in court over Quantick article
posted by davidt on Thursday April 03 2008, @08:00AM

Noel Westlake was first to send the link:

Magazine says sorry to Morrissey - BBC News
Singer Morrissey has accepted a public apology in court from Word Magazine after it suggested he was a racist and a hypocrite.

The former Smiths frontman did not appear at London's High Court.

Morrissey took Word to court after an article concerning his political views appeared in its March edition.

The star's solicitor said the magazine now accepted that it was "absurd to accuse Mr Morrissey of being a racist" and that he was "not a hypocrite".

Morrissey said he was "obviously delighted with this victory and the clearing of my name in public where it is loud and clear for all to hear".

Word's lawyer, Caroline Kean, said the publication offered its "sincere apologies" to the 48-year-old.

The closing paragraphs of the article, written by David Quantick, referred to statements made by Morrissey in an edition of NME last December.

Morrissey's solicitor, John Reid, said Quantick's comments had been "construed to suggest that Mr Morrissey was a racist, held racist opinions or that (as the child of migrant parents) he was a hypocrite".

'Utterly determined'

He added: "The article suggested that Mr Morrissey has in the past paid lip service only to anti-racism."

The singer, whose full name is Steven Patrick Morrissey, has also launched a legal action against the NME, which is ongoing.

The singer insisted the weekly music magazine had "calculatedly tried to damage my integrity and to label me as a racist in order to boost their diminishing circulation".

The star said Word had "made the mistake of repeating those allegations, which they now accept are false".

Reid said the singer was "utterly determined" to repair the damage done to his reputation following the statements made by the NME in December.

He also revealed there was a possibility that Morrissey would turn up in court for the NME hearing.
---
DictatorHall sends the link:
Singer Morrissey Wins 'Racism' Action - Sky News
---
sunnyday sends the link:
Morrissey accepts 'racism' apology - The Guardian
---
ManAlive send the link:
Word Magazine Forced To Apologise To Morrissey - Gigwise
---
DianaDors writes:
Full text of today's legal proceedings in a press release at True To You:
Morrissey court victory - true-to-you.net

 
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Word Magazine publicly apologizes to Morrissey in court over Quantick article | Log in/Create an Account | Top | 128 comments | Search Discussion
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delighted (Score:0)
just for you.

now for the conor sacking!
Anonymous -- Thursday April 03 2008, @08:32AM (#299578)
    court case (Score:0)
    Well done to Morrissey.And good luck in the NME case. I've read in magazines that people who know and have known morrissey say what a kind thoughtful person he is. He is not a racist at last this has been proved in court.
    Anonymous -- Thursday April 03 2008, @08:33AM (#299579)
      Very good. (Score:1)
      It's sad that it's so rare to see someone admit they were wrong and apologize. The entire allegation was so ridiculous.

      Now for that other one... hopefully this shows them that Word has done the only right thing, and they will follow soon.
      PFTLT * -- Thursday April 03 2008, @09:27AM (#299581)
      (User #19538 Info)
      • Re:Very good. by David T (different) (Score:1) Friday April 04 2008, @08:52AM
        • Re:Very good. by Anonymous (Score:0) Saturday April 05 2008, @06:15AM
          • Re:Very good. by David T (different) (Score:1) Monday April 07 2008, @04:21AM
        Victory! (Score:1)
        This is great news, next stop NME.
        denisc -- Thursday April 03 2008, @09:32AM (#299583)
        (User #2722 Info)
        • Re:Victory! by Comadre (Score:1) Friday April 04 2008, @09:18AM
          Great news!! (Score:0)
          He also revealed there was a possibility that Morrissey would turn up in court for the NME hearing.
          He might think about turning up for all his scheduled concerts too!This is all so old now, his opinions are so irrelevant it doesn't matter what they are or what any publication prints what they think they are.
          Anonymous -- Thursday April 03 2008, @09:41AM (#299584)
          very good! (Score:0)
          I'm glad The Word Magazine did the right thing and apologised! :) it's a good mag and I was actually shocked and surprised when I read that "review"...

          now, BRING the eNeMEy DOWN! please :p
          Anonymous -- Thursday April 03 2008, @09:47AM (#299585)
            Well done (Score:1)
            So pleased to hear this news. Well done Morrissey!
            miss liverpool <alison-m-1@hotmail.co.uk> -- Thursday April 03 2008, @09:56AM (#299588)
            (User #18717 Info)
            I would give you my heart, that's if I had one
              Well done (Score:0)
              Great result.
              Now lets see Connor on his knees.

              Smiler x
              Anonymous -- Thursday April 03 2008, @10:05AM (#299591)
                Good news. (Score:1)
                Great result, i'm glad Morrissey stuck to his guns and followed it through. There's a difference between racism and patriotic. Now these idiots at the Word might see that.
                i'llsendyoumine -- Thursday April 03 2008, @10:06AM (#299592)
                (User #20579 Info)
                  david Quantick made a fool of himself (Score:0)
                  I am incredibly happy with the Words'apologies. I hope David Quantick will die of shame, that is all he deserves.It is a good lesson for him, who is ready to stigmatise someone who only tells the truth. David Quantick should stop living in his own philosophical world, and try to see the world as it really is, and not as he thinks he should be. Criticizing Morrissey for being a person with good sense shows he has the intelligence of a psychopath and that he is a lot more narrow-minded that the star he tried to put discredit on.
                  Now, the discredit is on you, dear David. I hope you are feeling very bad. What a bad publicity for you and the magazine you are working for.
                  Next time,-if there is- you will write intelligent comments for a change.
                  Bye bye, loser.
                  Anonymous -- Thursday April 03 2008, @10:08AM (#299593)
                  Wouldn't it be nice... (Score:0)
                  Wouldn't it be nice if some of the people on this board who were less than flattering to Moz would come out and apologize as well? For those of us who were never doubters, this is welcome news!
                  Anonymous -- Thursday April 03 2008, @10:34AM (#299598)
                  Fantastic! (Score:1)
                  This is brilliant news, especially after a round of nonsense reporting and pathetic media behavior. How truly embarrassing for these magazines to resort to unfounded, heavily editorialized, no-news, libelous articles.
                  Well done Morrissey and the team! All the best with getting public apologies from the NME, and then getting those news heavily publicized as well.

                  Love,
                  Andrea
                  sing-me-to-sleep -- Thursday April 03 2008, @11:34AM (#299605)
                  (User #20404 Info)
                    Wow (Score:1)
                    This headline was even on the front page of Yahoo. On the entertainment tab right now.
                    ThinkOfMeKindlyLV -- Thursday April 03 2008, @11:42AM (#299606)
                    (User #18284 Info)
                      You don`t own them (Score:0)
                      All of these publications think that they own the stars they write about. They don`t, of course. Yamaha
                      Anonymous -- Thursday April 03 2008, @11:43AM (#299607)
                        I'll admit I was dubious... (Score:1)
                        ...about the neccessity of taking Word to court over this issue. However, I'm pleased that Morrissey has simply accepted an apology as recompense; I've always thought that in most court cases for libel, such an outcome is sufficient, as all the person needs is their name clearing.
                        I didn't think anything other than action against the NME would be worthwhile, but these magazines have different readerships and Word's opinion is widely valued by those who care passionately about music and the artsits who make it. After reading the above statements, I can now understand why Morrissey felt the need to pursue such action.
                        So here's an apology of my own. Sorry for questioning your actions Morrissey; you know what's best for you.

                        Mozzersgirl -- Thursday April 03 2008, @11:51AM (#299609)
                        (User #14229 Info)
                        "There's more evil in the charts than in an al-Qaeda suggestion box" - Bill Bailey
                          Great news! (Score:1)
                          That article was so unfair.

                          let's hope the NME will be next...
                          dzhemini -- Thursday April 03 2008, @12:00PM (#299612)
                          (User #20609 Info)
                            High Five Moz! (Score:1)
                            The Word article was vicious, quite a deal worse in its mauling than NME who at least acknowledged the girth of Morrissey as an artist.

                            This is excellent news; there is some justice in the world after all. : )
                            goinghome -- Thursday April 03 2008, @12:06PM (#299613)
                            (User #12673 Info)
                            Tick Tock Conor (Score:1)
                            Only a matter of time
                            2-J -- Thursday April 03 2008, @12:20PM (#299617)
                            (User #4798 Info)
                              caroline kean (Score:1)
                              who knew she's a lawyer now? i would've thought the royalties from all those NANCY DREW books she wrote would be enough for her.
                              Butch -- Thursday April 03 2008, @12:53PM (#299625)
                              (User #12552 Info | http://www.supercult.com/site2/welike/morrissey/036.jpg )
                                Interesting (Score:1)
                                Quantick's mistake was in losing his temper, and having a tantrum in the press. He could have said much the same thing in a measured, thoughtful way and made his point.

                                He was undone by his own anti-Morrissey hysteria, which still runs rampant, here and elsewhere.

                                I'd say that it's a good sign for Moz that he still inspires such emotion. I wonder if he agrees with the great Gustave Courbet who said: "...when I am no longer contoversial, I will no longer be important."
                                Anaesthesine -- Thursday April 03 2008, @01:46PM (#299628)
                                (User #14203 Info)
                                If Moz did not exist, it would be necessary to invent him.
                                  where is quantick? (Score:1)
                                  I want to see that scumbag Quantick publicly apoligize and stop hiding behind the magazine's lawyers.

                                  He was quick enough to put his mname and his big fat slug like features to the review, so why can't he come out now and admit he was a liar with a personal longstanding vendetta against Morrissey.
                                  dandy dick -- Thursday April 03 2008, @01:55PM (#299630)
                                  (User #13605 Info)
                                  Quantick was still right (Score:1)
                                  His word choice may have been poor, but the cloud over Morrissey -- the cloud put there by him -- remains in the eyes of thousands who agree with Quantick. Lawyers can't change that.

                                  Does anyone actually imagine anyone at Word is actually sorry? Facing a court case with an uncertain outcome, they took the prudent course and offered an apology which costs them nothing. Probably, when they published the Quantick piece they suspected it might come to this. Calculated gamble.
                                  MontyClift -- Thursday April 03 2008, @02:33PM (#299633)
                                  (User #257 Info)
                                  You'll never guess. I'm bored now.
                                  Pathetic (Score:0)
                                  Nothing that was written in the article required a court case, and such a charge would have been laughed at in the U.S. as perfectly Constitutional.

                                  Furthermore, the apology had nothing to do with guilt or innocence. The magazine likely apologized because they didn't want to spend money on a frivolous court case, and thus put in behind them.

                                  Now, any time Morrissey doesn't like what others think about him, he can just threaten to drain them in court. It is in no way honorable, meaningfully, or intelligent.

                                  It's just a guy with too much money on his hands trying to control the court of public opinion. he doesn't even have to show up.

                                  A hypocrite? Morrissey is the very definition of a the word "hypcrite." How can you legally force someone to court over calling them a hypocrite?

                                  And I thought the U.S. suffered from frivolous lawsuits. This takes the cake.

                                  Apparently, Morrissey is only for free speech when it doesn't involve negative reviews of himself.
                                  Nick The Name -- Thursday April 03 2008, @02:59PM (#299637)
                                  (User #20764 Info)
                                  • Re:Pathetic by Anonymous (Score:0) Thursday April 03 2008, @04:36PM
                                    • Re:Pathetic by Nick The Name (Score:0) Friday April 04 2008, @02:12PM
                                    • Re:Pathetic by Anonymous (Score:0) Friday April 04 2008, @04:14AM
                                      • Re:Pathetic by boredhousewife (Score:1) Friday April 04 2008, @01:26PM
                                        • Re:Pathetic by boredhousewife (Score:1) Friday April 04 2008, @01:29PM
                                          • Re:Pathetic by Anonymous (Score:0) Tuesday April 08 2008, @12:49AM
                                            Mozlims (Score:0)
                                            Also, it's horrifying to see how many Morrissey fans are against free speech.

                                            Of course, these are the Morrissey Fundamentalists,
                                            and much like other fundamentalists their concept of rights is selective and relative only to their ideology and its goals.

                                            It's bizarre how much Morrissey's fanbase resembles a Church.
                                            Nick The Name -- Thursday April 03 2008, @03:04PM (#299638)
                                            (User #20764 Info)
                                            • Re:Mozlims by MontyClift (Score:1) Thursday April 03 2008, @03:15PM
                                              • Re:Mozlims by Anonymous (Score:0) Thursday April 03 2008, @05:00PM
                                                • Re:Mozlims by Nick The Name (Score:0) Thursday April 03 2008, @11:17PM
                                                  • Re:Mozlims by algernon (Score:1) Friday April 04 2008, @03:13AM
                                                    • Re:Mozlims by Anonymous (Score:0) Friday April 04 2008, @08:13AM
                                                      • Re:Mozlims by Nick The Name (Score:0) Friday April 04 2008, @02:06PM
                                                        • Re:Moz-limbs by goinghome (Score:1) Friday April 04 2008, @03:36PM
                                                          • Re:Mozlims by Anonymous (Score:0) Saturday April 05 2008, @09:32AM
                                                    • Re:Mozlims by Anonymous (Score:0) Friday April 04 2008, @04:12AM
                                                      Just shut up and sing (Score:1)
                                                      If Moz had expressed his political opinion through the delightfully obscure lyrics such that he was previously capable of (preferably accompanied by a decent tune) his argument might have been debated with less sycophantic bias and no litigation. Instead we get inanely supportive diatribes and boring news of legal suits brought against the employers of journalists prepared to state the bleedin' obvious about Morrissey's recent "musical" output but who unwisely refer to his supposedly dubious politics in the same breath.
                                                      Our man mightn't have letters after his name but we know he aint stupid and he should know better. I suspect that Morrissey had previously given scant thought to the present issue of immigration in Britain and to have publicly pontificated on the subject was foolish. He deserves every moment of worry that his arrogant outburst in Jonze's presence last year causes him.
                                                      Just Shut up and sing, Moz.
                                                      prudence -- Thursday April 03 2008, @03:39PM (#299643)
                                                      (User #16089 Info)
                                                      Sue Me to Sleep... (Score:0)
                                                      "Rub your hands, lawyers. Morrissey is in town

                                                      Are you going to sue our arse, Morrissey, if we tell you that your libel actions left, right and centre are looking very off-putting? Mick Jagger, John Lennon, Bono and Paul Weller Sting and the Gallaghers, Damon Albarn and Joe Strummer, John Lydon and Bryan Ferry, Boy George and Amy Winehouse all received at some point in their career some..."

                                                      READ THE REST on Birmingham's own Hagley Road to Ladywood: http://www.mymarilyn.blogspot.com/ [blogspot.com]
                                                      Anonymous -- Thursday April 03 2008, @03:44PM (#299644)
                                                        A breed onto themselves... (Score:1)
                                                        "...I confirm everything my Friend, the Claimant's solicitor has said..."

                                                        The Lawyers/Liars never cease to be chummy with each other - always looking out for themselves and rarely protecting the interests of ordinary chavs like you, me and Mr. Morrissey (well, ermh at the very least he's a jumped up chav)!

                                                        Lazy Sunbather -- Thursday April 03 2008, @04:30PM (#299652)
                                                        (User #843 Info)
                                                        "Pourquoi ne veux tu pas de moi."
                                                        Speedway...... (Score:1)
                                                        Morrissey has arrived at a point in his life wherein he understands that it's only a matter of time before they all come crawling on their knees. They turned him down so many years ago. "And you think you've won, but sorrow will come, to you in the end, and as sure as my words are pure, I praise the day that brings you pain"- Morrissey.

                                                        Bravo Morrissey, Bravo!!
                                                                                                                                              LOZ
                                                        LOZ -- Thursday April 03 2008, @09:20PM (#299666)
                                                        (User #946 Info)
                                                          Go to court? (Score:1)
                                                          Mr. Morrissey won't go to court.
                                                              He's gone to the National Front Disco.....
                                                          mauve21 -- Friday April 04 2008, @01:33AM (#299674)
                                                          (User #13027 Info)
                                                            "court victory" ? (Score:1)
                                                            I don't understand very well, but from reading the notes at the TTY website, the record was withdrawn after the Defendants apologized.

                                                            With my laywoman's knowledge, doesn't that mean that there was actually no ruling at all?

                                                            "Victory" then simply means that Word apologized to Morrissey for apparently allowing readers to construct the reading according to which Morrissey was a racist and a hypocrite, whilst admitting they never wanted to say that.

                                                            Strange apology, if you ask me.

                                                            And then I don't see how that would mean a "court victory", i.e. a ruling in favour of Morrissey by a court of law. As far as I can see, there was no ruling, as the case was withdrawn.

                                                            But then ... what do I know.
                                                            MILVA -- Friday April 04 2008, @04:09AM (#299678)
                                                            (User #12729 Info)
                                                            Trust me. I already lived twice.
                                                            Wow the Court!? (Score:1)
                                                            Now that is surprising.

                                                            Well "that"was nice...:)

                                                            Congratulations to you Mr Morrissey.:)

                                                            A tip off the Hat to you!
                                                            Marisela -- Friday April 04 2008, @08:40AM (#299696)
                                                            (User #1865 Info)
                                                              Why Word could not use the "fair comment" defence (Score:0)
                                                              Analysis of why they backed down by someone who knows what they are talking about. Something for all you legal pontificators to take on board: http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/apr/04/medial aw.pressandpublishing [guardian.co.uk]
                                                              Anonymous -- Friday April 04 2008, @10:35AM (#299704)
                                                              see link from Pitchfork mag (Score:1)
                                                              http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/news/49720-m orrissey-wins-apology-from-iwordi-mag-in-libel-sui t
                                                              Stanley Ogden -- Friday April 04 2008, @11:54PM (#299747)
                                                              (User #21027 Info)
                                                                All in due time (Score:1)
                                                                So happy to hear that the apology has finally occurred. Best of luck with NME. Cheers!
                                                                ShynessIsNice7 -- Saturday April 05 2008, @12:04AM (#299748)
                                                                (User #18269 Info)
                                                                ~The saints smile shyly down on you...~
                                                                  In Brasil also (Score:1)
                                                                  All the big Online newspapers also says about Morrissey getting apologies from Word and the case about NME. Here is the link (in portuguese, of course). This shows the great importance of Morrissey here in Brasil, altough he came on tour just once....

                                                                  http://www1.folha.uol.com.br/folha/ilustrada/ult90 u388730.shtml

                                                                  http://g1.globo.com/Noticias/Musica/0,,MUL387179-7 085,00.html
                                                                  Marco -- Saturday April 05 2008, @04:43AM (#299751)
                                                                  (User #615 Info)
                                                                  And all those lies, written lies, twisted lies. Well, they weren't lies, they weren't lies...
                                                                    What a fuckin toss pot (Score:0)
                                                                    He gets insulted by someone calling him a racist and hypocrite.

                                                                    Grow up you fuckin nancy!
                                                                    Anonymous -- Saturday April 05 2008, @05:37AM (#299752)
                                                                    I'm really hoping the NME gets taken down town... (Score:0)
                                                                    its about time that rag had its credibility officially drasgged through mud for all to see...and its not just cos of the racism thing, the thing truly is toilet paper anyway! Jesus Im only twenty and the things aimed at me, and I cant stand it...it just frstrates me seeing it on the shelves!
                                                                    Anonymous -- Saturday April 05 2008, @06:45AM (#299757)
                                                                      Rubbish, Quantick has a right to his opinion (Score:1)
                                                                      I didn't agree with or like all of David Quantick's review of Morrissey pointless "greatest hits" CD. But I find it absolutely laughable that David Quantick's opinion is something someone can sue over and actually get a back-boneless magazine to issue an apology over. Only in the UK, I guess, where the press is scared shitless of saying an offending word about celebrities and/or powerful people. A lot of people do think Morrissey is a hypocrite, and a case can be made to argue it on all kinds of fronts. A lot of people do think Morrissey's views on immigration stem from racist feelings. Whether they are right or wrong on that, it's up to the reader to decide. Why silence people? Morrissey should be a man and state his views on immigration more clearly, and let people decide. Enough of the threats of lawsuits from this ridiculous celebrity. I think Morrissey won nothing here and Word magazine looks like a bunch of assclowns who buckle at the first letter from a lawyer. Fuck, David Tseng has more balls to stand up for freedom of speech than they do.
                                                                      LoafingOaf * <franticflintstoneNO@SPAMgmail.com> -- Sunday April 06 2008, @02:31AM (#299787)
                                                                      (User #778 Info)
                                                                      Fuck it, Dude. Let's go bowling.
                                                                      Might I add (Score:1)
                                                                      I find it chilling to digest the fact that David Quantick cannot write his opinions in a review in a magazine without Morrissey's lawyers bullying the magazine into apologies. The review was written under Quantick's name. If he no longer stands behind his opinions, let him say so. His opinions in that review cannot be objectively "proven" true or false -- it's up to the reader to decide. DUH! If the magazine does not feel Quantick's opinions were worth publishing, why did they publish them? This magazine has no nutsack, and it's more evidence that freedom of speech is no longer alive and well in the United Kingdom. Some of us have known that for a long time.
                                                                      LoafingOaf * <franticflintstoneNO@SPAMgmail.com> -- Sunday April 06 2008, @02:46AM (#299788)
                                                                      (User #778 Info)
                                                                      Fuck it, Dude. Let's go bowling.
                                                                        I've just re-read the review (Score:1)
                                                                        It's here: http://forums.morrissey-solo.com/showpost.php?p=78 3644&postcount=50

                                                                        There's not a sentence in it that an American magazine would apologize for having published, and a lawsuit would get laughed out of court.

                                                                        Morrissey should be ashamed of himself. Sadly, he never will be.

                                                                        LoafingOaf * <franticflintstoneNO@SPAMgmail.com> -- Sunday April 06 2008, @03:04AM (#299789)
                                                                        (User #778 Info)
                                                                        Fuck it, Dude. Let's go bowling.
                                                                        BTW, since... (Score:1)
                                                                        BTW, since some of you think the outcomes of every legal action in the UK are so infalliably correct, I guess we have to put all the more stock in the courts having found Morrissey to be some kind of snake who swindled Mike Joyce and Andy Rourke out of assloads of money he owed 'em. What a crooked bastard. Declared definitively for all to see by the the courts of England.
                                                                        LoafingOaf * <franticflintstoneNO@SPAMgmail.com> -- Sunday April 06 2008, @03:26AM (#299791)
                                                                        (User #778 Info)
                                                                        Fuck it, Dude. Let's go bowling.
                                                                          You is so funny (Score:0)
                                                                          Now fuck off.
                                                                          Anonymous -- Thursday April 03 2008, @12:44PM (#299624)
                                                                          [ Parent ]
                                                                          Calls of protest to Empire Publications (Score:0)
                                                                          I have contacted his publisher inquiring if they can provide any insight on why he chauffeur's people to the gig of a well known racist.
                                                                          Empire Publications
                                                                          1 Newton Street, Manchester M1 1HW
                                                                          Tel: 0161 872 3319 Fax: 0161 872 4721

                                                                          Anonymous -- Monday April 07 2008, @12:21PM (#299874)
                                                                          [ Parent ]
                                                                          • 4 replies beneath your current threshold.


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