Battle of the RICs

 I was saddened to hear of Manfred's passing.

I had one professional interaction with him over the RIC issue. Editorial strongly objected to entering RIC codes in news stories, despite my best efforts at persuasion.

Manfred led a delegation of senior editorial staff to see John Parcell and me. Manfred and his colleagues were under the delusion that John, an ex-journalist, would take their side in the Battle of the RICs. Manfred opened the meeting by saying, "John, many senior journalists strongly object to inserting RIC codes into stories".

"I see," said John, "And would you be one of these so-called senior journalists?".

Even Manfred joined in the gale of laughter that swept the room. ■