It’s interesting to look at Mail readers’ reactions to offence when the story’s about someone they hate.
The article in question is admittedly tame: Kate Moss storms out of some awards ceremony after host James Nesbitt quips: “Kate Moss has still got it… I gave it to her just before she came on stage.”
However, the comments – and more importantly their ratings – are more telling. Among the top rated are:
Not much here about the story. Just an opportunity to vent against Kate Moss, 'Cocaine Kate' no less, and clearly someone who offends Mail sensibilities. Among the worst rated, on the other hand, are posts that actually discuss what was said:
Let’s compare this with the flurry of hype created by Sachsgate. While Nesbitt's one-liner in no way competes with the Brand-and-Ross prank, when is it ok to make seedy comments about someone? The answer in this case seems to be:
(a) When the victim’s a model you don’t like;
(b) Even better, when that person was involved in a drugs scandal;
(c) When the comments are made by someone not on the BBC's payroll; and
(d) When the comments made are actually (or most probably) not based on any fact.
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