Fall of an Empire? NI/News of The World/Phone Hacking

[spacehunt]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2011/jul/08/james-murdoch-criminal-charges-phone-hacking

Well that could quite well ruin someones day if its followed through with Also, various charities have apparently been refusing the offer for the proceeds to go to them, Andy Coulson has been released on bail, Brookes has bene taken off of leading the investigation, and Rupert Murdoch himself is flying in to London tommorow, according to the financial times.

Also, Brookes released a statement (cant find it atm), stating that one reason for the closure is due to 'whats to come'. Apparently, theres still around 2 years worth of information and scandals etc


Edit: also forgot:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2011/jul/08/phone-hacking-emails-news-international

The words Hole, dig, and stop, come to mind.

[philip_hughes]

Will this do?

From smh.com.au

Murdoch is probably not all that bad a man, just too ruthless for his own good. I'm glad the pollies are owning up to their fears. No one should condemn them for being in bed with media tycoons, they have no choice. All too often, freedom of the press has been quoted as a mantra to keep the empire running and thats been stopped in its tracks. Oh, and the dude became an american to further his empire, so I don't have to defend him as an Australian

[spacehunt]

Tommorows Daily Mirrors front page

http://twitpic.com/5o9wj1

Second Dominoe?

[BugMeister]

just been watching senior police officers wriggling off the hook under enquiry..

"I didn't know about it, so I'm alright, Jack" - seems to be the line they're all taking..

[Chips]

[silentWitness]

I'd laugh but I think Murdoch owns close to 99% of Australian-centric news outlets... Which is another reason I love to read the economist... It's great for news... their coverage of the Iraq war has been particularly good.

Oh I should add this:

http://www.economist.com/node/18928406
http://www.economist.com/blogs/bagehot/2011/07/british-press-and-phone-hacking-scandal-2

[greypanther]

But what is your point chips? Is it that all politicians are greedy, self servers? I didn't comment upon the ' great ' new labour, cos it is past!

ALL politicians are shite!
However, the double standards of this current lot are at least well, current.

From my own observations it has been going on from the early 80s, Maggie was a very great player of the media.
I am quite sure it has always gone on, probably always will.

[matthewfarmery]

it seems there maybe an interesting vote tomorrow, that all three parties may turn their backs on Murdoch, to make him adbandon his plans over the takeover of BSkyB, as personally I don't think Murdoch should have total control over it, especially as what seems to be a trickle now turning into a flood over the phone hacking and more

http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-world/uk-mps-unite-against-murdoch-20110713-1hcm0.html

so I really hope he drops it, and IF he still able to take total control over sky, I really wonder what would happen? would people cancel their subscriptions or advertisers pull out? not really sure, as I doubt it would be businesses as usual

but hopefully he won't have total control, if anything, his share should be sold off, as he really doesn't deserve it

but yeah, things are really hitting the fan, and it's not going to end anytime soon

[AdrianM]

[BugMeister]

- Murdoch has a Citizen Kane-like grip on the media, particularly satellite TVmedia..
- via subsidiaries, his grip extends into local newspapers, as well as the national dailies..

From the Guardian (re. BSkyB):

"BSkyB controls entry into the market, owning all the key sports, film and
archive rights on which any challenger would rely to build a rival
business. According to Enders Analysis, by the middle of the decade it will
be generating £8bn in revenue and profits of £1.6bn – one of the most
profitable and fastest growing pieces of media real estate anywhere on
the planet. And all in a G7 country which has among the laxest approach
to business taxation and intra-company transfers of capital in the world.."

- one wonders who his targets would be, were he to attempt to exact
some form of revenge against those who oppose him in his megalomania..

[greypanther]

I heard on the news this morning that the Americans are starting an investigation into his organisation now. They have already threatened severe consequences if they find anything.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-14132168
A timeline of events from the BBC:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-12253968
A useful whos who, form the BBC:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12296392

[Chips]

[philip_hughes]

I am unbelievably on the side of the pollies for this one. Think about basic issues of truth. It is hard to get a neccesary fact out into the media without some kind of spin, and if the "media" does not like the message its easy to distort. The major parties live and die by the opinion of this man and it is no wonder now they smell blood that they are out to exact a little revenge. Hopefully some good will come from this.

[greypanther]

Yes I can understand all that, but should ANY politician be accepting freebies etc. from any business? I don't think it matters what their motivation is/was, they shouldn't be doing it.

Doesn't it all come back to money for influence? Even if they are accepting goods/services in kind?

I am a pessamist obviously, even if he is got rid of, there will be someone else with similar if lesser power to replace him.

[philip_hughes]

Agreed greypanther, but what would the consequence be if they DIDN't play ball? I am happy for an amnesty on pollies and bribery just to rat out the people who offer the cash.