I used to joke with one of our cleaning staff when she said something I disagreed with that she was 'only a cleaning lady'.
She sometimes used the phrase herself in the same manner.

She also knew my real feelings were that I do not think I could bring myself to carry out her tasks.

I work for an international engineering firm & we hire/fire contract labour as workload demands. On a large plant outage for repairs/inspection, the state of the messrooms, toilets etc. from 600-900 manual labourers has to be seen/smelt to be believed. I would balk at the sight of it but she (and others) cleaned these places without a second thought.
At a works dance, when shunned by other 'higher rank' individuals we invited her & spouse to sit at our table.
Cleaning ladies have my utmost respect & that journalist should feel flattered rather than insulted!!