Yahoo Lifestyle 
Pale, stale and male: Piers Morgan 'clones' on the way out
Network 10 journalist Antoinette Lattouf appeared on Yahoo's ANZ Real Talk series on Wednesday and revealed how diversity played a role in Piers Morgan's departure from Good Morning Britain.
The Co-Founder and Director of Media Diversity Australia spoke to Yahoo's Sarah O'Carroll about why diversity in newsrooms is so important and how it ultimately led to Piers leaving ITV.
Piers abruptly left Good Morning Britain on Tuesday after weatherman Alex Beresford slammed him for his treatment of Meghan Markle, including comments suggesting the Duchess was lying about being suicidal after joining the royal family due to the scrutiny she received.
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Antoinette pointed out why it's important to have newsrooms with diverse journalists and spoke of the situation with Piers as an example.
"We saw with Piers Morgan, for example... what happened there was there was a mixed-race journalist [Alex Beresford] who had lived experience and empathy, who had a seat at the table, who was able to calmly, very civilly say, 'You know what, I've had to listen to you, you've obviously got something in for her,'" she said.
"Someone who has a seat at the table who can bring a different perspective and a different lived experience.
"And it's okay for Piers to think whatever he wants. I'm sure there's lots of people who think like he does, but it can't just be five clones of Piers."
Antoinette added that a more diverse newsroom means you can "balance those other views" with other perspectives, such as the experience of growing up in a mixed-race family.
Alex Beresford, whose mother is white and father is Guyanese slammed Piers for his dislike of the Duchess.
"You’ve made [your dislike] so clear a number of times on this programme, a number of times," he said."
"And I understand that you’ve got a personal relationship with Meghan Markle, or had one and she cut you off. She’s entitled to cut you off if she wants to.
"Has she said anything about you since she cut you off? I don’t think she has, yet you continue to trash her."
In response Piers, who on Monday spent 30 minutes criticising Meghan and Harry's Oprah interview on air before storming off the set, saying he was 'done with this', in a move that Alex labelled 'pathetic'.
"Sorry, can't do this," Piers said as he left the set mid-show.
"This is absolutely diabolical behaviour, I’m sorry but Piers spouts off on a regular basis and we all have to sit there and listen," Alex added.
"Yesterday was incredibly hard to watch."
Piers and Meghan famously had a brief friendship online and met up once for a drink in London in 2017. However, when she began seeing Prince Harry, she stopped responding to him and, in his words, she 'ghosted' him.
If you are concerned about the mental health of yourself or a loved one, seek support and information by calling Lifeline on 13 11 14, Mensline on 1300 789 978, or Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800.
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