[Update] The News Corp scandal

Signed both petitions and will be happy to sign upto anything else against these despicable papers and people this has really got me very very angry. The intrusion into the lives of people in the worst times of their lives simply cannot be forgiven or forgotten.

[denphone]

If it was me a more draconian measure would be more suitable like banning his newspapers from going on sale.

Originally Posted by Hugh

Damien, I was wrong - it was the Observer I had read about, re Steve Whittamore and the ICO Operation Motorman investigation (I confused Guardian Media Group (which the Observer and the Guardian are part of) with the Guardian paper).

Yes I read that in The Times this morning. Although all we know is that he is being investigated for phone hacking and was employed by, amongst others, The Observer. The Observer would do wise to check each story he submitted for them right about now...I am pleased that it isolates the current Guardian editorial staff who pursued this although they will still be, as a company, screwed.

[AdamD]

Originally Posted by denphone

If it was me a more draconian measure would be more suitable like banning his newspapers from going on sale.

They should just ban all tabloids, problem solved.
heh

Originally Posted by AdamD

They should just ban all tabloids, problem solved.
heh

We need a free independent press.Without some of the more legitimate members of the press who investigate some really worthy news stories we would not be told the truth..What we need are more good investigative journalists working for news organisations that are more trustworthy than that of the Murdoch Empire.

What we need is to get our politicians and government OUT OF BED with the news media.Government has no place in allowing certain press magnates to whisper in their ears and affect political policy of the government.

[denphone]

Originally Posted by Maggy J

We need a free independent press.Without some of the more legitimate members of the press who investigate some really worthy news stories we would not be told the truth..What we need are more good investigative journalists working for news organisations that are more trustworthy than that of the Murdoch Empire.

What we need is to get our politicians and government OUT OF BED with the news media.Government has no place in allowing certain press magnates to whisper in their ears and affect political policy of the government.

l would love for this to happen Maggy but whether politicians have got the backbone or moral courage to do this has to be called into question.

---------- Post added at 14:47 ---------- Previous post was at 14:10 ----------

Just saw this on the BBC website and the arrogance of the man Paul McMullan is staggering.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programme...ht/9531686.stm

Originally Posted by denphone

l would love for this to happen Maggy but whether politicians have got the backbone or moral courage to do this has to be called into question.

---------- Post added at 14:47 ---------- Previous post was at 14:10 ----------

Just saw this on the BBC website and the arrogance of the man Paul McMullan is staggering.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programme...ht/9531686.stm

to paraphrase one Christine Keeler.

Well he would wouldn't he..

****.

[Stuart]

The Register have an interesting comment article on the whole affair, http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/07...rom_the_press/

[watzizname]

Originally Posted by Maggy J

Why not?Isn't the supreme head in charge at all?He's not accountable in any way for what happens in his organisation?So where does the buck stop in any organisation if not at the top?

I would guess that (as usual) it stops with those who actually got caught..

Originally Posted by Guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/jul/05/rebekah-brooks-milly-dowler-phone-hacking

However, John Whittingdale, the chairman of the culture, media and sport select committee, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that phone hacking at the News of the World should not taint the rest of Rupert Murdoch's empire. "You cannot necessarily condemn the entire of News Corp just because of the actions of some individuals in another part of the organisation," he said.

Unfortunately, any serious reforms to the way a big organisation like this might run, will affect any and all similar set-ups, and I really can't see any of them wanting that to happen, despite all the opportunistic mud slinging that's going on at the moment.

Far better to lay the blame at the feet of, and sacrifice a few individuals, than actually deal with the overriding cause of the problem.

The names will be changed to protect the majority..

[Tezcatlipoca]

So... Rebekah Brooks was allegedly "on holiday" when Milly Dowler's phone was hacked, and again during Soham:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2011...-phone-hacking


Cameron has bowed to calls for public inquiries:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2011...acking-inquiry


Murdoch is standing by Brooks:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2011...-phone-hacking


And Tom Watson MP used parliamentary privilege during today's emergency debate to

Originally Posted by FT.com

accuse Mr [James] Murdoch, who heads News Corp’s European operations, of perverting the course of justice with the substantial payments he authorised “without board approval” to “silence” victims of phone hacking.

[denphone]

And l believe after watching the news at 6.00 the worse is to come in the coming days.

[muppetman11]

I am appalled at these allegations , and it just goes to show what a weak government we have.

[Stuart]

Originally Posted by muppetman11

I am appalled at these allegations , and it just goes to show what a weak government we have.

Our government is doing what is right. They have announced an inquiry, and as long as action is taken if required, I have no problem with that.

The problem for the government is that all we have at the moment is what the papers have said. The papers all have their own agenda.

I am not saying any of them is lying and that this hasn't happened. It has, and I believe that News International should be punished for it.

However, before they act, they need to ensure that they have good evidence, and a watertight case. If there is just the slightest problem, the NI lawyers will leap on it, and try and take our government to the cleaners.

[muppetman11]

Originally Posted by Stuart

Our government is doing what is right. They have announced an inquiry, and as long as action is taken if required, I have no problem with that.

The problem for the government is that all we have at the moment is what the papers have said. The papers all have their own agenda.

I am not saying any of them is lying and that this hasn't happened. It has, and I believe that News International should be punished for it.

However, before they act, they need to ensure that they have good evidence, and a watertight case. If there is just the slightest problem, the NI lawyers will leap on it, and try and take our government to the cleaners.

The government have already shown their cards with the BSKYB deal unless we are to have an epic back track on that.