Is what's happening to the 'News of the World' poetic justice?
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Given the unreasonale instrusion into people's private lives in the name of public interest, they have now been exposed as resorting to whatever tactics necessary to get the story!
For once rather than setting the news agenda they are the focal point of it and, are being exposed for what they really are, a gutter press who will stoop to whatever level and damage peoples lives in order to sell newspapers.
What such news stories have highlighted is that both the police (in accepting payments for information from News International) and the PCC - Press Complaints Commission (who are a self-regulating body) are complicite in supporting News International in undermining the rule of law in this country.
Both organisations have in the past investigated claims of wrong doing at News International and stated there was no case to answer and yet now, they are having to publicly firefight overwhelming evidence that they got it wrong.
Do we need tighter laws that control and govern the media in this country?
Responses (9)
I agree with everything you say, Parchester. The revelation that News International hacked into the phones of Millie Dowler, and the families of 7/7 victims is totally repugnant and shows the gutter press up for what it is.
However, I would hesitate on the question of tighter laws as freedom of the press is something we can rightly be proud of in this country.
It was reported this morning that several large companies, including Ford, have cancelled their advertising contracts. Perhaps being hit in the pocket will make them rethink their moral and ethical position. Or should we be watching out for flying pigs?
These guys and girls from New International Corporation have been above the law for far too long because they are liek or not above the law. This government and the ones previously have always been too fearful of Murdoch but this time the country and wider world are demanding for tough action and senior heads to roll. Poetic justice has come in the way of masses of advertisers cancelling their association with the sister organisation News Of The World.
Tonight it is also revealed that the families of the war dead have also had their phones hacked.
I sincerely hope the public follow the lead of the advertisers and keep well away from this toxic newspaper.
People power could really make a difference to this and other gutter newspapers if the readers deserted them in droves.
Sadly it appears too much to expect our media to have some form of morality and respect for honest, decent ordinary people whose only 'claim to fame' is that they are the families of victims of murder, victims of terror and those grieving for the loss of their children, who went to war to defend the rights of democracy,liberty and free speech, which affords newspapers, like the News of the World, their freedoms to print and publish without controls.
I have just read this on the BBC news site, and if these allegations are proven to be true then I'm even more appalled than I already was! In fact, words almost fail me here!
I totally agree with you, Parchester, the people of this country should flatly refuse to buy this so-called newspaper!
It just seems to get worse and worse, fruits, with the new revelation that the families of war victims may have been hacked too. Are there no depths too low for these scumbags?
I seem to remember saying some time ago that the News of the World was only suitable for lining the cats' litter box. Well I wouldn't insult my cats by doing so!
I don't know whether you heard the 'vox pop' on the 'Today' programme this morning, but I was disappointed to hear some people saying they would still buy this toxic rag.
And as for the sheer bloody hypocrisy of pretending to support our troops, while simultaneously feeding off their grieving families, I just can't express the repugnance and disgust that I feel.
Ed Milliband is not much better IMHO. Surely this should not be a party political issue? I was appalled to hear him yesterday at PMQ's trying to make political capital out of the fact that David Cameron employed the ex NotW editor, a long time before this particular load of crap hit the fan. Does he seriously believe Cameron would knowingly have done that? Worse, does he seriously believe we, the voters, can't see through his politial posturings trying to gain a political advantage on the back of people's grief?
Rant over, for now..........
Actually Feline there was 'evidence' that implicated Andy Coulson in an enquiry in 2006, however, the police and the press compliants commission felt there was 'insufficient' evidence to proceed with a major investigation. This is the very same police force who were in receipt of bungs from the News of the World for information, perhaps there was a conflict of interests!!
Mr. Coulson is now known to have authorised payments to the police. The question that should be asked is if he knowingly sanctioned payments to the police, what did he believe these payments were for and what was being done with the information obtained?
So what is clear is that Mr Coulson lied to David Cameron about his knowing involvement in supporting police corruption. Mr Cameron stated publicly that he supported Mr Coulson's innocence, in hindsight that appears to be a huge error of judgement. Only did Mr Coulson resign when it was clear that a new police investigation was to be launched.
The Chair of the Press Complaints has stated that she and her commission were repeatedly lied to by senior executives of News International but will not name names, so as not to compromise the police investigation but News International is distancing itself from Mr. Coulson and possibly hanging him out. The general consensus is that there will be arrests made and soon.
Perhaps what Ed Milliband has done is also to state publicly that he deplores the antics of the media and wants to personally distance the political process and his party from the role the media play in determining the political agenda in this country.
He has publicly challenged Rupert Murdoch, which is something David Cameron hasn't done. He has deplored the action but not the paymaster. Milliband's decision is both brave and as some commentators have stated foolhardy as the media have long memories and will seek their revenge upon Mr. Milliband in 4 years time. Once again this confirms that despite what is happening now, the power the media believe they have in determining who will govern this country and the policies it will support will not change.
What this whole process has revealed so far is this;
Q: What structural checks and balances do the police and the Press have in common?
A: They are both allowed to police themselves.
Works well, doesn't it?!!
A lot of what you say makes a lot of sense, Parch, but I still cannot believe that David Cameron would knowingly have done this - political suicide or what?
It now appears in 2009 in a Glasgow Court, that Andy Coulson denied that the paper had paid policemen for information. Despite Rebecca Brooks stating that the paper had paid police in a Commons Select Committee and he was sitting alongside her that day. Even then the man and the paper he was working for had the potential to be toxic.
If what is being said in the press is true, then the man has lied under oath and commited perjury, especially given that the payments to the police required his authorisation!
However, it would appear that what the News of the World is hoping to achieve is to place the blame for all of this at the door of one person and at the moment that looks like Coulson!
You heard it here first!
I am blowing my own trumpet here by stating that yesterday morning, I predicted in one of my (many) posts about Andy Coulson and the News of the World, that arrests would be made and soon and was I one step ahead of the media, who broke the story late last night.
All this accurate prediction and not one mobile telephone hacked or a police officer paid to bring this 'exclusive' to you!!!
Coming soon - 'The Daily Parch' - We have a thirst for news!!
Hearing the news today it was terrible to think they might have been hacking into the 'phones of the relatives who have lost a loved one in the war. Are we going to hear they have sunk any lower than this? It's horrifying and disgusting to think someone has been listening and reading their personal voice mails and texts - how degrading the scumbags are!!! grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr I could smack the lot of them.
Maybe some blame should be laid at the door of the mobile companies for allowing such easy access to your voicemail. One reason I refuse to use or reply to voicemail messages. There is no skill required to access a mobile voicemail, just the use of widely known codes and voila! you're in. There are other codes which allow you to do more if you wish. There is nothing secure in your mobile.
This is not an excuse for the NOTW. Some commentators say that the law allows for investigative journalists to use underhand tactics to get information if it is in the public interest and there is no other method of obtaining that information. I am not sure what laws have been broken other than possibly privacy law and I'm not sure we have one of those yet. Even then I think the information would need to have been put in the public domain so it may well be that some clever barristers will get them off. The resulting public outcry will then give the powers that be the chance to erode our freedoms even more.
Be careful what you wish for.
I know that there is an offence of unauthorised access to computers etc. but don't know if that covers access to mobile phones using known codes to access the device. A bit like cookies on your PC. Gathering information without your knowledge but who gets arrested for that?
Who else may have used this method to get information?
While everyone gets on their high horse about the moral issues of the alleged targets, maybe people should try thinking outside the box. For instance, it is widely accepted that the NOTW is pro the armed forces, so maybe one reason they targeted the relatives of unfortunate victims (not our war) maybe they were actually trying to catch out the MOD or politicians so that they could get a better deal for the families.
Where the NOTW has fouled up badly is that this became normal practice instead of normal investigative journalism.
I also think that some of the other media (there have been hints by bloggers) may also have indulged and are throwing eveything at the NOTW to keep prying eyes busy.
A few journalists will get all the blame and need to look for a new career when their punishment is over but other than that....???? the executives will get rewarded with further promotions. Was it ever thus?
The bigger story in my book is the corruption which is being uncovered and may well end up back at the door of parliament.
While what you say here is interesting, Sealate, I don't think 'thinking outside the box' is necessary...hacking into private phones/phonecalls/voicemails is illegal...full stop!
Where do you think the security services get most of their information? They are the ones who will lose out now that people are aware and can change their access codes (password). The papers will be full of instructions tomorrow or just google it.
The NOTW story is not the main issue any more(they accepted their guilt as a corporation by setting aside a fund to pay victims), it has become political with some people out to get Murdoch/News International.
What will happen if it is found that this practice is widespread? Remember the Charles/Diana and Charles/Camilla tapes? This could be a very big can of worms indeed.
There's a difference between MI5 and MI6 acting for the security of the nation and getting permission to do what's necessary and a bunch of amoral journalists just out to make money by selling gutter press newspapers!
There's nothing 'political' about it...Murdoch and News International are just getting exactly what they deserve, and if it comes to light that other newpapers use the same dirty methods, then they will deserve it too.
JUST HEARD THAT THE NEWS OF THE WORLD WILL BE FINISHED AFTER SUNDAY!!!
Sabre, you beat me to it by about 30 seconds!
That calls for a large one, I think!
News International are being very clever by closing down the paper, they remove the criticism against it.
However, the anger and disgust will be directed towards other aspects of Murdoch's empire. So hopefully they will be clearing out those skeletons as we speak and ensuring that their journalistic qualities will now be above and beyond reproach!!
Expect a relaunch of a new title before too long.
This weekends paper will feature no ad's just acknowledgment to good causes. All proceeds from the paper will be donated to good causes too.
Yes, Parch, it's jut been announced that there will be 'The Sun on Sunday'.
The more things change, the more they remain the same!
Just a brief response from me as I have my hands full with my grandchildren at the moment but just to concur wih everything that's been said here and that is 'Good riddance to bad rubbish'.
I always thought it was a misnomer to call that rag a newspaper in the first place.
If everyone were to boycot their papers they would have to think again. Maybe an extreme reaction but come on. those papers are rubbishy, gossip and they have no morals.
I'm just delighted that until the advent of the The Sun on Sunday, there is one less rag mag displaying pictures of Kerry Katona and other non-celebs and non-entities!
These guyz r untouchable ...u curb their activities here and they will emerge from some where else. Completely unscived and unabated..u will see Rebekah Brooks coming up repackaged , stronger and better. She kissed them all , Blair , Cameron etc ..while the ones who accepted the thousands in bribe money may go down the drains...
i think we the public are the only ones who r screwed here and not any one else...these big fights for a grip over the reins of power r for the big guys who r un elected and who operate behind closed doors only...
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