Prince Harry and Meghan Markle broke ties with UK tabloids on Sunday by issuing a scathing letter that said they would no longer engage with the newspapers.
The former royals laid out their new policy of “zero engagement” and “no corroboration” to the editors of four major British publications after years of “distorted” and “false” coverage, according to The Guardian.
“It is gravely concerning that an influential slice of the media, over many years, has sought to insulate themselves from taking accountability for what they say or print — even when they know it to be distorted, false, or invasive beyond reason,” the couple wrote in the letter to The Daily Mail, The Sun, Daily Mirror, and Daily Express.
“When power is enjoyed without responsibility, the trust we all place in this much-needed industry is degraded.”
Harry and Meghan excoriated the tabs for years of what they describe as relentless false coverage.
“The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have watched people they know — as well as complete strangers — have their lives completely pulled apart for no good reason, other than the fact that salacious gossip boosts advertising revenue,” the letter said.
The four tabloids will not receive media updates from the couple and may possibly be barred from attending their future events, the letter said.
Harry and Meghan explained that the policy was “not about avoiding criticism.”
“It’s not about shutting down public conversation or censoring accurate reporting,” it read. “Media have every right to report on and indeed have an opinion on the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, good or bad. But it can’t be based on a lie.”
Meghan sued the The Daily Mail in 2019 for publishing a private letter she wrote to her estranged father following her nuptials.
The couple — who recently relocated to Los Angeles — have been keeping a low profile in the city and were spotted recently delivering meals to the sick.
Prince Harry recently said he was enjoying quarantine by hanging out with his 11-month-old son, Archie.