Latest news with #Grayling
Scotsman
4 days ago
- Business
- Scotsman
Grayling strengthens media service in Scotland
International communications agency, Grayling, has strengthened its media service offering in Scotland with the announcement of a partnership with highly respected former national newspaper deputy editor, Mark Macaskill. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Macaskill, who spent 26 years on The Sunday Times where he rose to become deputy editor of the Scottish edition, joins Grayling Media, the agency's specialist media relations unit, launched to bridge the gap between communications professionals and journalists in an evolving new age of media. Macaskill will work with teams in Scotland and across Grayling's wider UK network, bringing his broad newsroom perspective and sharp editorial judgement to help shape stories, tackle complex narratives and provide high-level strategic counsel. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad He will contribute to media training, workshops, panel events and new business activity — offering clients a unique perspective grounded in frontline journalism. His appointment bolsters Grayling's reputation for media excellence and adds further depth to its senior counsel offering. Mark Macaskill joins Grayling's media service Commenting on the partnership, Macaskill said: 'Grayling is a fast-growing and hugely respected agency with international reach and the opportunity to partner with them was not to be missed. The media landscape is rapidly evolving but the appetite for original and agenda-setting content remains undiminished. I'm really looking forward to working with Grayling to drive news content that shapes narratives, delivers real impact and helps convert new business into new clients.' Billy Partridge, UK Board Director and Head of Scotland at Grayling spoke of the opportunities the partnership would bring. He said: 'Mark's journalistic pedigree, editorial instincts and deep understanding of the media landscape make him an invaluable partner for both our team and our clients. 'This collaboration is all about elevating the work we do — from standout storytelling and building client confidence under the spotlight to enhancing our client advisory capabilities and supporting our strategic business development goals. We're excited about the energy and insight he brings." Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Mark, who continues to write and has been published in The Times, The Daily Telegraph, The Observer, The Sunday Post and Rolling Stone, joins a prestigious UK media advisory board, comprising: •Lucie Cave: Chief Content Editor at Bauer Media Group and ITV Lorraine's Entertainment editor •Jane Hamilton: Recruitment Editor at The Times and The Sun; •Jordan Schwarzenberger: co-founder of Arcade Media, and •Charlotte Griffiths: Editor at Large at the Mail on Sunday
NZ Herald
15-05-2025
- Politics
- NZ Herald
A.C. Grayling on culture wars and the age-old cycle of ‘cancellation'
Discriminations – Making Peace in the Culture Wars is the latest work by British philosopher A.C. Grayling, where he delves into some of the biggest issues of our time. Grayling, who is in New Zealand for the Auckland Writers Festival, told The Front Page 'wokeism' is a term that applies to a state of mind about fighting against discrimination. 'It's about making society a fair place. People use this word, 'woke', as a kind of term of abuse, very disparaging, and very contemptuous. But it has an honourable ancestry. 'It comes from the African American patois, talking about the fact that although there are very obvious forms of discrimination (you can't get any more obvious than slavery), there are also lots of hidden forms of racism. 'So to be alert, to be awake, to be woke to the fact that you are going to be encountering all sorts of resistance to your chance just to be accepted and to have a fair place. 'Anti-woke is about protecting interests, not about protecting rights. Because if you are in a privileged position in society, you have privileged access to all the top-quality social goods of health, education, and opportunities in economics, you don't want other people getting into your club. So you push back against it,' he said. Examples of 'cancellations' are peppered throughout history, Grayling argues. Some are justified, like incarceration after a law is broken, others are not, like some social media pile-ons. War (' war is one group trying to cancel another group'), the downfall of now-convicted sex pest Harvey Weinstein, or the ostracisation of 19th-century playwright Oscar Wilde for his sexual proclivities are all examples of different cancellations over time. Some considered 'right', some 'wrong'. What 'culture wars' come down to is human rights, Grayling said, and he uses the terrorist leader Osama bin Laden to land this point as he is an 'extremely unappealing candidate for being treated in accordance with human rights ideas'. 'Because human rights say everybody has a right to a fair trial. Everybody has a right to a defence to be heard. Everybody has a right when arrested and charged with a crime to be treated with a degree of respect and deference, and not to be subjected to arbitrary punishment. 'Now, Osama bin Laden was shot dead and dropped into the Arabian Gulf – for good, pragmatic reasons. Because if he had been arrested and taken to Guantanamo Bay, he might have continued to be a focus of attention on the part of supporters. 'From a long-term point of view, from the point of view of trying to respect due process and individual human rights, it would've served the world better if the United States – which after all used to set itself up before Trump as a place of law, civil liberties, and human rights – if they had respected those constraints. 'It's harder to do. It's hard work to do that. It's disgusting to have to do it with somebody like Osama bin Laden. But in the end, it would've been better than to engage in an extrajudicial killing,' he said. The debate around 'culture wars' re-ignited in New Zealand recently when the coalition Government disestablished the Māori Health Authority and introduced the Treaty Principles Bill, which sought to make it so there were 'equal rights for all New Zealanders'. 'To treat people equally is not always to treat them fairly,' Grayling writes. Take an Olympic athlete who needed 5000 calories a day and a little old lady who needed 1500 calories a day, he said. '[If] you forced them to eat the same number of calories, say 3000 a day each, you're unfair to both.' A.C. Grayling will be appearing at the Auckland Writers Festival from May 13–18. For more information and tickets, visit or buy tickets at the venue box office.
The Advertiser
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Advertiser
The social media-hating philosopher relishing his X ban
Philosopher AC Grayling revels in being banned from social media platform X because his latest book is all about cancel culture. "How about that? I mean, that is so ironic it's almost unbelievable," he said. "Elon Musk, the great would-be champion of free speech, has cancelled me on Twitter!" Grayling was blocked in February - he suspects over a repost - as his book Discriminations: Making Peace in the Culture Wars was about to hit bookshelves worldwide. An author of more than 30 books, Grayling holds positions at both Northeastern University London and St Anne's College in Oxford University. He's in Australia in May, having appeared at the Margaret River Readers and Writers Festival with Melbourne, Sydney and Newcastle writers' festivals to come. But unlike most authors, Grayling won't be promoting these events on social media. As well as being blocked on the Musk-owned X, he admits to having forgotten his Facebook password. What's more, he argues social media is toxic and has been harmful to democracies around the world. It's all part of his analysis of the culture wars, which he explains go back to ancient times - the word ostracism can be traced to ancient Greek - because tribalism is simply the flip side of community. "The whole of history is about one group trying to cancel another group - that's what a war is," he said. From political correctness to wokeness, Grayling views contemporary culture wars as fundamentally about human rights and fairness, and fighting against sexism, racism and homophobia. "People who are in positions of privilege don't want other people to have a fair share because they think they will lose their hold on the levers of privilege," he said. Australia's book festival scene has had to contend with these culture wars in recent years, with donations withdrawn from events and staff and board members quitting over issues such as the Gaza conflict. With the patience of a philosopher, Grayling sees writers' festivals as an opportunity for rational debate, but he adds it's understandable that people occasionally get riled up. He interprets Australia's federal election, which resulted in a Labor triumph, as a move away from the culture wars the nation's politicians have indulged in over the past decade. "It's maybe a step in the right direction, towards bringing the culture wars to a more peaceful conclusion." Grayling appears at the Melbourne Writers Festival, which began on Saturday, followed by the Sydney Writers' Festival, held from May 19-27, and a special Newcastle Writers Festival event on May 20. Philosopher AC Grayling revels in being banned from social media platform X because his latest book is all about cancel culture. "How about that? I mean, that is so ironic it's almost unbelievable," he said. "Elon Musk, the great would-be champion of free speech, has cancelled me on Twitter!" Grayling was blocked in February - he suspects over a repost - as his book Discriminations: Making Peace in the Culture Wars was about to hit bookshelves worldwide. An author of more than 30 books, Grayling holds positions at both Northeastern University London and St Anne's College in Oxford University. He's in Australia in May, having appeared at the Margaret River Readers and Writers Festival with Melbourne, Sydney and Newcastle writers' festivals to come. But unlike most authors, Grayling won't be promoting these events on social media. As well as being blocked on the Musk-owned X, he admits to having forgotten his Facebook password. What's more, he argues social media is toxic and has been harmful to democracies around the world. It's all part of his analysis of the culture wars, which he explains go back to ancient times - the word ostracism can be traced to ancient Greek - because tribalism is simply the flip side of community. "The whole of history is about one group trying to cancel another group - that's what a war is," he said. From political correctness to wokeness, Grayling views contemporary culture wars as fundamentally about human rights and fairness, and fighting against sexism, racism and homophobia. "People who are in positions of privilege don't want other people to have a fair share because they think they will lose their hold on the levers of privilege," he said. Australia's book festival scene has had to contend with these culture wars in recent years, with donations withdrawn from events and staff and board members quitting over issues such as the Gaza conflict. With the patience of a philosopher, Grayling sees writers' festivals as an opportunity for rational debate, but he adds it's understandable that people occasionally get riled up. He interprets Australia's federal election, which resulted in a Labor triumph, as a move away from the culture wars the nation's politicians have indulged in over the past decade. "It's maybe a step in the right direction, towards bringing the culture wars to a more peaceful conclusion." Grayling appears at the Melbourne Writers Festival, which began on Saturday, followed by the Sydney Writers' Festival, held from May 19-27, and a special Newcastle Writers Festival event on May 20. Philosopher AC Grayling revels in being banned from social media platform X because his latest book is all about cancel culture. "How about that? I mean, that is so ironic it's almost unbelievable," he said. "Elon Musk, the great would-be champion of free speech, has cancelled me on Twitter!" Grayling was blocked in February - he suspects over a repost - as his book Discriminations: Making Peace in the Culture Wars was about to hit bookshelves worldwide. An author of more than 30 books, Grayling holds positions at both Northeastern University London and St Anne's College in Oxford University. He's in Australia in May, having appeared at the Margaret River Readers and Writers Festival with Melbourne, Sydney and Newcastle writers' festivals to come. But unlike most authors, Grayling won't be promoting these events on social media. As well as being blocked on the Musk-owned X, he admits to having forgotten his Facebook password. What's more, he argues social media is toxic and has been harmful to democracies around the world. It's all part of his analysis of the culture wars, which he explains go back to ancient times - the word ostracism can be traced to ancient Greek - because tribalism is simply the flip side of community. "The whole of history is about one group trying to cancel another group - that's what a war is," he said. From political correctness to wokeness, Grayling views contemporary culture wars as fundamentally about human rights and fairness, and fighting against sexism, racism and homophobia. "People who are in positions of privilege don't want other people to have a fair share because they think they will lose their hold on the levers of privilege," he said. Australia's book festival scene has had to contend with these culture wars in recent years, with donations withdrawn from events and staff and board members quitting over issues such as the Gaza conflict. With the patience of a philosopher, Grayling sees writers' festivals as an opportunity for rational debate, but he adds it's understandable that people occasionally get riled up. He interprets Australia's federal election, which resulted in a Labor triumph, as a move away from the culture wars the nation's politicians have indulged in over the past decade. "It's maybe a step in the right direction, towards bringing the culture wars to a more peaceful conclusion." Grayling appears at the Melbourne Writers Festival, which began on Saturday, followed by the Sydney Writers' Festival, held from May 19-27, and a special Newcastle Writers Festival event on May 20. Philosopher AC Grayling revels in being banned from social media platform X because his latest book is all about cancel culture. "How about that? I mean, that is so ironic it's almost unbelievable," he said. "Elon Musk, the great would-be champion of free speech, has cancelled me on Twitter!" Grayling was blocked in February - he suspects over a repost - as his book Discriminations: Making Peace in the Culture Wars was about to hit bookshelves worldwide. An author of more than 30 books, Grayling holds positions at both Northeastern University London and St Anne's College in Oxford University. He's in Australia in May, having appeared at the Margaret River Readers and Writers Festival with Melbourne, Sydney and Newcastle writers' festivals to come. But unlike most authors, Grayling won't be promoting these events on social media. As well as being blocked on the Musk-owned X, he admits to having forgotten his Facebook password. What's more, he argues social media is toxic and has been harmful to democracies around the world. It's all part of his analysis of the culture wars, which he explains go back to ancient times - the word ostracism can be traced to ancient Greek - because tribalism is simply the flip side of community. "The whole of history is about one group trying to cancel another group - that's what a war is," he said. From political correctness to wokeness, Grayling views contemporary culture wars as fundamentally about human rights and fairness, and fighting against sexism, racism and homophobia. "People who are in positions of privilege don't want other people to have a fair share because they think they will lose their hold on the levers of privilege," he said. Australia's book festival scene has had to contend with these culture wars in recent years, with donations withdrawn from events and staff and board members quitting over issues such as the Gaza conflict. With the patience of a philosopher, Grayling sees writers' festivals as an opportunity for rational debate, but he adds it's understandable that people occasionally get riled up. He interprets Australia's federal election, which resulted in a Labor triumph, as a move away from the culture wars the nation's politicians have indulged in over the past decade. "It's maybe a step in the right direction, towards bringing the culture wars to a more peaceful conclusion." Grayling appears at the Melbourne Writers Festival, which began on Saturday, followed by the Sydney Writers' Festival, held from May 19-27, and a special Newcastle Writers Festival event on May 20.
Perth Now
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
The social media-hating philosopher relishing his X ban
Philosopher AC Grayling revels in being banned from social media platform X because his latest book is all about cancel culture. "How about that? I mean, that is so ironic it's almost unbelievable," he said. "Elon Musk, the great would-be champion of free speech, has cancelled me on Twitter!" Grayling was blocked in February - he suspects over a repost - as his book Discriminations: Making Peace in the Culture Wars was about to hit bookshelves worldwide. An author of more than 30 books, Grayling holds positions at both Northeastern University London and St Anne's College in Oxford University. He's in Australia in May, having appeared at the Margaret River Readers and Writers Festival with Melbourne, Sydney and Newcastle writers' festivals to come. But unlike most authors, Grayling won't be promoting these events on social media. As well as being blocked on the Musk-owned X, he admits to having forgotten his Facebook password. What's more, he argues social media is toxic and has been harmful to democracies around the world. It's all part of his analysis of the culture wars, which he explains go back to ancient times - the word ostracism can be traced to ancient Greek - because tribalism is simply the flip side of community. "The whole of history is about one group trying to cancel another group - that's what a war is," he said. From political correctness to wokeness, Grayling views contemporary culture wars as fundamentally about human rights and fairness, and fighting against sexism, racism and homophobia. "People who are in positions of privilege don't want other people to have a fair share because they think they will lose their hold on the levers of privilege," he said. Australia's book festival scene has had to contend with these culture wars in recent years, with donations withdrawn from events and staff and board members quitting over issues such as the Gaza conflict. With the patience of a philosopher, Grayling sees writers' festivals as an opportunity for rational debate, but he adds it's understandable that people occasionally get riled up. He interprets Australia's federal election, which resulted in a Labor triumph, as a move away from the culture wars the nation's politicians have indulged in over the past decade. "It's maybe a step in the right direction, towards bringing the culture wars to a more peaceful conclusion." Grayling appears at the Melbourne Writers Festival, which began on Saturday, followed by the Sydney Writers' Festival, held from May 19-27, and a special Newcastle Writers Festival event on May 20.
The Age
02-05-2025
- Politics
- The Age
Online pile-ons and culture wars: how did we get here?
But he warns those of us who see these and other rights as self-evident (while acknowledging the right to free speech, and to argue that they are not), to be wary of making our points too vociferously, lest we find ourselves wrestling in the mud pit with our detractors. 'Campaigners for social justice have much to gain from taking Aristotle's point about anger, 'to be angry with the right person, in the right degree, at the right time, for the right purpose'. That is not easy, but necessary,' Grayling advises. And in a world where everyone with an online connection can tear strips off just about anyone else on the planet, we find that well-calibrated judgements on when to let fly are in short supply indeed. You don't need a lot of evidence to build a case against an opponent, especially when sharing your views with those of like mind. So it's no wonder that an adversary's harmless quip taken out of context can, and often does, snowball into a bloodthirsty social media pile-on. These days it is far easier to ignore Aristotle and follow the lead of Cardinal Richelieu, to whom Grayling refers toward the end of the book as having 'once remarked that he could use two lines from anything anyone wrote to hang him. 'He meant that by clever insinuation and manipulation he could prove anyone guilty of something. Often a superficial, partial or deliberately distorted reading of something someone did or said can be given the Richelieu treatment. It is a stock-in-trade of political quarrels, and has become likewise in the so-called woke wars.' Most internet trolls aren't nearly as clever as the Cardinal, but nor do they have to be. Any witless primary or high-school bully can wreak emotional havoc with a mobile phone and delinquent parents. Discriminations is a cogently argued plea for moderation and empathy in a world where we all have the technical capability to behave like the school cyber-goon, and far too many of us do. Loading In me, Grayling is preaching to the converted, and I concede that there's nothing like a well-written confirmation of one's beliefs to bring on a contented nodding of the head. Today is election day, and at time of writing, I've noticed that the word 'woke' has been used sparingly, if at all. Perhaps Peter Dutton has been advised that promising to make school curriculums 'less woke', as he did at the starting gate, was sounding a tad too Trumpian for local tastes. And whoever becomes prime minister tonight, A. C. Grayling would be the first to point out that the last thing Australia needs, now or ever, is a full-blown US-style culture war.
