Sunday 10 July 2011
Murdoch exits London home with arm around Brooks
News Corp Chief Executive Rupert Murdoch exited his London home on Sunday with his arm around embattled newspaper chief Rebekah Brooks, and told Reuters that she was his first priority.
Murdoch, who flew into Britain earlier on Sunday to deal with an escalating phone-hacking scandal at his News of the World tabloid that Brooks used to edit, answered: "This one," gesturing at Brooks, when asked what his first priority was.
The two, both smiling, then went into the Stafford hotel opposite Murdoch's apartment in the upmarket Mayfair area of London.
ww.reuters.com/article/2011/07/10/newscorp-murdoch-london-idUSWLB758220110710
Murdoch And Brooks Meet Amid Deal Delay Calls
Mr Murdoch, who arrived in the UK today, was seen reading the final edition of the News Of The World as he was driven to the Wapping site.
Before arriving in the UK, the 80-year-old News Corporation chairman expressed his "total" support for Mrs Brooks.
Mrs Brooks has faced calls for her resignation from critics who claim she would have known about phone hacking while she was editor at the NOTW, which was shut down amid the scandal.
Mrs Brooks, News International's chief executive, arrived at 5.35pm at Mr Murdoch's flat, where he had travelled after visiting Nl's headquarters in Wapping.
Mr Murdoch, who arrived in the UK today, was seen reading the final edition of the News Of The World as he was driven to the Wapping site.
Before arriving in the UK, the 80-year-old News Corporation chairman expressed his "total" support for Mrs Brooks.
Mrs Brooks has faced calls for her resignation from critics who claim she would have known about phone hacking while she was editor at the NOTW, which was shut down amid the scandal.
Mr Miliband threatened to force a Commons vote on the takeover which would see Mr Murdoch's organisation take full control of BSkyB, the parent company of Sky News.
In an appearance on BBC1's Andrew Marr Show, Mr Miliband warned: "(The Prime Minister) has got to understand that when the public have seen the disgusting revelations that we have seen this week, the idea that this organisation, which engaged in these terrible practices, should be allowed to take over BSkyB, to get that 100% stake, without the criminal investigation having been completed and on the basis of assurances from that self-same organisation - frankly that just won't wash with the public."
Sky's political correspondent Jon Craig said Mr Miliband was considering "leading from the front" and opening Labour's opposition day debate on the bid himself.
Read more at: http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Ed-Miliband-Demands-Postponement-Of-BSkyB-Takeover-As-Rupert-Murdoch-Arrives-In-The-UK/Article/201107216027715?lpos=UK_News_First_UK_News_Article_Teaser_Region_2&lid=ARTICLE_16027715_Ed_Miliband_Demands_Postponement_Of_BSkyB_Takeover_As_Rupert_Murdoch_Arrives_In_The_UK
Before arriving in the UK, the 80-year-old News Corporation chairman expressed his "total" support for Mrs Brooks.
Mrs Brooks has faced calls for her resignation from critics who claim she would have known about phone hacking while she was editor at the NOTW, which was shut down amid the scandal.
Breaking News
6:57pm UK, Sunday July 10, 2011Murdoch And Brooks Meet Amid Deal Delay Calls
Rebekah Brooks has arrived at Rupert Murdoch's west London residence amid calls for News Corporation's proposed takeover of BSkyB to be postponed.
Mr Murdoch, who arrived in the UK today, was seen reading the final edition of the News Of The World as he was driven to the Wapping site.
Before arriving in the UK, the 80-year-old News Corporation chairman expressed his "total" support for Mrs Brooks.
Mrs Brooks has faced calls for her resignation from critics who claim she would have known about phone hacking while she was editor at the NOTW, which was shut down amid the scandal.
Rupert Murdoch reading the final edition of the News Of The World
It comes as Labour Leader Ed Miliband urged the Government to delay the deal until the inquiry into the hacking allegations is completed.Mr Miliband threatened to force a Commons vote on the takeover which would see Mr Murdoch's organisation take full control of BSkyB, the parent company of Sky News.
In an appearance on BBC1's Andrew Marr Show, Mr Miliband warned: "(The Prime Minister) has got to understand that when the public have seen the disgusting revelations that we have seen this week, the idea that this organisation, which engaged in these terrible practices, should be allowed to take over BSkyB, to get that 100% stake, without the criminal investigation having been completed and on the basis of assurances from that self-same organisation - frankly that just won't wash with the public."
Sky's political correspondent Jon Craig said Mr Miliband was considering "leading from the front" and opening Labour's opposition day debate on the bid himself.
Read more at: http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Ed-Miliband-Demands-Postponement-Of-BSkyB-Takeover-As-Rupert-Murdoch-Arrives-In-The-UK/Article/201107216027715?lpos=UK_News_First_UK_News_Article_Teaser_Region_2&lid=ARTICLE_16027715_Ed_Miliband_Demands_Postponement_Of_BSkyB_Takeover_As_Rupert_Murdoch_Arrives_In_The_UK
Emphatic Farewell for British Paper Caught Up in Hacking Scandal
LONDON — Reporters leaving the newsroom of The News of the World for the final time on Saturday night were told by the police to leave their desks, including their notebooks, untouched. They were allowed to keep only their cellphones.
With that, the 168-year-old News of the World came to an end, brought down by a scandal over the interception of voicemail messages that is rocking Britain’s media, its police force and government, and threatens the empire of a previously unassailable mogul. The final edition included an apology to readers for the newspaper losing its way, as well as a defiant claim to being the “world’s greatest.”
As staff members filed out one-by-one, the newspaper’s editor Colin Myler reprised a tradition that goes back to the glory days of British journalism, a time before voicemail, when storied publications like The News of the World were based around Fleet Street in the City of London and reported on Britain’s sprawling empire. He stood at a desk and struck it with a ruler as he looked each staff member in the eye, an emphatic farewell known as “banging out”.
Several staff members said that they expected the police would soon turn their beloved newspaper into a crime scene as investigations into the hacking scandal gained momentum.
Read more at: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/11/world/europe/11world.html
With that, the 168-year-old News of the World came to an end, brought down by a scandal over the interception of voicemail messages that is rocking Britain’s media, its police force and government, and threatens the empire of a previously unassailable mogul. The final edition included an apology to readers for the newspaper losing its way, as well as a defiant claim to being the “world’s greatest.”
As staff members filed out one-by-one, the newspaper’s editor Colin Myler reprised a tradition that goes back to the glory days of British journalism, a time before voicemail, when storied publications like The News of the World were based around Fleet Street in the City of London and reported on Britain’s sprawling empire. He stood at a desk and struck it with a ruler as he looked each staff member in the eye, an emphatic farewell known as “banging out”.
Several staff members said that they expected the police would soon turn their beloved newspaper into a crime scene as investigations into the hacking scandal gained momentum.
Read more at: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/11/world/europe/11world.html
Friday 8 July 2011
Hacking scandal: is this Britain's Watergate?
David Cameron was forced to cut Rupert Murdoch and his newspaper empire loose from the heart of government yesterday as he tried to deflect public anger about his failure to tackle the phone-hacking scandal.
Mr Cameron turned on Mr Murdoch's son James, saying there were questions "that need to be answered" about his role during the phone-hacking cover-up, and criticising him for not accepting the resignation of News International's chief executive Rebekah Brooks.
He also admitted that his desire to win support from the company's newspapers had led him to turn "a blind eye" as evidence grew of widespread illegality at the News of the World.
With a newspaper closed, five arrests and more to follow, 4,000 possible victims, a media empire shaken to its foundations and the Prime Minister reeling, the escalating scandal has become a controversy comparable to the US Watergate saga, with ramifications for Downing Street, the media and police.
Last night the media regulator Ofcom announced it would contact police about the conduct of Mr Murdoch's empire in covering up phone-hacking allegations, to determine whether it was a "fit and proper" owner of the broadcaster BSkyB, which Mr Murdoch is attempting to buy outright. He is due to fly into London today to deal with the crisis, according to reports. Shares in the broadcaster fell by eight per cent.
A disaster for Cameron, and it's all of his own making...
The fall-out from phone-hacking is not just a short-term catastrophe for the Prime Minister. It will stretch on for years.
With multiple police inquiries into wrong-doing at the News of the World, then criminal trials, investigations into alleged police corruption, and finally public inquiries, there is a considerable danger that what is left of David Cameron’s first term in office is going to be completely overshadowed by this scandal.
Cameron tried to divert attention yesterday, shamefully opening the way to the kind of French-style statutory regulation that could shackle the free press (most of which has not been engaging in the despicable behaviour practised by the News of the World). But he won’t be able to wriggle free that easily.
In the years ahead, he and his advisers face the prospect of being called to give evidence as witnesses in the various trials. What discussions did Cameron have about phone hacking with Andy Coulson, the former News of the World editor who quit as his communications director in January and was arrested yesterday?
Did Cameron’s links to those at the top of News International, Rupert Murdoch’s company that owns the News of the World, and his other British papers, shape government policy — particularly in relation to the mogul’s on-going and highly controversial attempt to buy the whole of BSkyB?
Cameron can’t say he wasn’t warned. On many occasions he was advised not to risk taking Coulson with him into the heart of government, and told he was getting dangerously close to News International. He didn’t listen.
Cameron’s senior staff also received warnings that the Royal Family were deeply perturbed. I have been told that no lesser a person than Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, private secretary to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, was appalled by the decision to appoint Coulson, and that his grave concerns found their way to Cameron’s team, who ignored them.
Prince William, heir to the throne, allegedly had his phone hacked by the News of the World.
For Cameron, these are dark waters. There are stark parallels with the fate of his predecessor Tony Blair, who had so sycophantically courted the Murdoch empire.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-2012719/A-disaster-Cameron-making-.html#ixzz1RXvhAjDD
With multiple police inquiries into wrong-doing at the News of the World, then criminal trials, investigations into alleged police corruption, and finally public inquiries, there is a considerable danger that what is left of David Cameron’s first term in office is going to be completely overshadowed by this scandal.
Cameron tried to divert attention yesterday, shamefully opening the way to the kind of French-style statutory regulation that could shackle the free press (most of which has not been engaging in the despicable behaviour practised by the News of the World). But he won’t be able to wriggle free that easily.
In the years ahead, he and his advisers face the prospect of being called to give evidence as witnesses in the various trials. What discussions did Cameron have about phone hacking with Andy Coulson, the former News of the World editor who quit as his communications director in January and was arrested yesterday?
Did Cameron’s links to those at the top of News International, Rupert Murdoch’s company that owns the News of the World, and his other British papers, shape government policy — particularly in relation to the mogul’s on-going and highly controversial attempt to buy the whole of BSkyB?
Cameron can’t say he wasn’t warned. On many occasions he was advised not to risk taking Coulson with him into the heart of government, and told he was getting dangerously close to News International. He didn’t listen.
Cameron’s senior staff also received warnings that the Royal Family were deeply perturbed. I have been told that no lesser a person than Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, private secretary to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, was appalled by the decision to appoint Coulson, and that his grave concerns found their way to Cameron’s team, who ignored them.
Prince William, heir to the throne, allegedly had his phone hacked by the News of the World.
For Cameron, these are dark waters. There are stark parallels with the fate of his predecessor Tony Blair, who had so sycophantically courted the Murdoch empire.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-2012719/A-disaster-Cameron-making-.html#ixzz1RXvhAjDD
Brooks: “Worse to come”; Guardian: “Millions of emails” deleted by NI
Another day, another slew of staggering developments in the News of the World phone hacking scandal: Rebekah Brooks revealed there will be “worse revelations to come”; The Guardian reported that “millions of emails” may have been deleted by News International executives to cover their tracks; Andy Coulson was arrested; David Cameron announced there will be a full judge-led inquiry; and Ed Miliband branded the PCC a “toothless poodle”.
More on the latest NI revelations later, but first to Mr Cameron, for whom this was another day to forget at the end of his week from Hell, forced into making a sheepish statement to the press in Downing Street, watching his former communications chief arrested and his premises searched, and harangued by the lobby for his judgement over Coulson.
Yet by this evening, it appeared the prime minister was distancing himself from the judgement call over Coulson, with Sky News’s Adam Boulton revealing that the “senior adviser close to David Cameron” that Guardian editor Alan Rusbridger had spoken to about Coulson’s probity was Steve Hilton – and, according to Boulton, “whatever was said, that was not passed on to the prime minister”.
At his morning press conference, journalist after journalist pressed him on the Coulson question, wanting to know What he asked him of his past; what Coulson told him; why he trusted him; why he’s still close to him; why he’s still friends with him; why, after further revelations post-2007, did he bring him into Downing Street in May 2010… Cameron’s “second chance” defence wearing thin, his slickness not washing – though he did, finally, say something about Rebekah Brooks, namely that he would have accepted her resignation.
The clear political winner, today as every other day this week, was Ed Miliband, whose demand for a judge-led inquiry Mr Cameron finally acceeded to this morning. Earlier, the Leader of the Opposition led the way with a call for widescale reform of media regulation – branding the Press Complaints Commission a “toothless poodle” that “cannot restore trust in self-regulation” and should be “put out of its misery”.
There has, however, been some criticism of Mr Miliband over his own links to the Murdoch empire – which he confronted head on today, insisting that he had asked chief spinner Tom Baldwin “whether he engaged in any illegal activities”, and asked him about Lord Ashcroft’s revelations of impropriety, which Baldwin “absolutely denies”; in contrast, the prime minister has still to disclose exactly what questions he asked Coulson, and what Coulson told him.
Back to News International, and Sky News’s Sophie Ridge – a former News of the World journalist – reported tonight that NI chief executive Rebekah Brooks told NotW staff worse revelations are on there way, and that was why they had to close down the paper, adding that “in a year you’ll understand why these decisions were taken”.
It has been reported that staff email and internet access has been limited, with staff reportedly saying they “don’t appreciate being treated like criminals”, telling her to her face she “should be sacrificing her own job” instead of “sacrificing hundreds of journalists for herself” – to which she is said to have replied “you may be angry with me – I understand… but I’m really angry with the people behind this, I feel betrayed”.
The other main development tonight is the Guardian’s revelations that police are investigating the suspected deletion of emails by a senior executive, contradicting claims from NI that they would be “co-operating fully with police”. As well as the deletions, the Guardian say NI have “infuriated police” by leaking sensitive information – despite telling them they would keep it confidential – and are at risk of prosecution for perverting the course of justice “by trying to hide the contents of a senior reporter’s desk” after he was arrested earlier this year.
Also today, there were further reports the News Corp/BSkyB takeover deal “could collapse” in the wake of the scandal, with institutional investors saying the prospect of a deal happening soon is “fading”; and on the campaign front, an appeal has been launched to fund a detailed poll of public opinion on Rupert Murdoch – you can donate to the campaign here.
From: http://www.leftfootforward.org/2011/07/news-of-the-world-phone-hacking-scandal-latest-developments-friday-july-8-2011/
More on the latest NI revelations later, but first to Mr Cameron, for whom this was another day to forget at the end of his week from Hell, forced into making a sheepish statement to the press in Downing Street, watching his former communications chief arrested and his premises searched, and harangued by the lobby for his judgement over Coulson.
Yet by this evening, it appeared the prime minister was distancing himself from the judgement call over Coulson, with Sky News’s Adam Boulton revealing that the “senior adviser close to David Cameron” that Guardian editor Alan Rusbridger had spoken to about Coulson’s probity was Steve Hilton – and, according to Boulton, “whatever was said, that was not passed on to the prime minister”.
At his morning press conference, journalist after journalist pressed him on the Coulson question, wanting to know What he asked him of his past; what Coulson told him; why he trusted him; why he’s still close to him; why he’s still friends with him; why, after further revelations post-2007, did he bring him into Downing Street in May 2010… Cameron’s “second chance” defence wearing thin, his slickness not washing – though he did, finally, say something about Rebekah Brooks, namely that he would have accepted her resignation.
The clear political winner, today as every other day this week, was Ed Miliband, whose demand for a judge-led inquiry Mr Cameron finally acceeded to this morning. Earlier, the Leader of the Opposition led the way with a call for widescale reform of media regulation – branding the Press Complaints Commission a “toothless poodle” that “cannot restore trust in self-regulation” and should be “put out of its misery”.
There has, however, been some criticism of Mr Miliband over his own links to the Murdoch empire – which he confronted head on today, insisting that he had asked chief spinner Tom Baldwin “whether he engaged in any illegal activities”, and asked him about Lord Ashcroft’s revelations of impropriety, which Baldwin “absolutely denies”; in contrast, the prime minister has still to disclose exactly what questions he asked Coulson, and what Coulson told him.
Back to News International, and Sky News’s Sophie Ridge – a former News of the World journalist – reported tonight that NI chief executive Rebekah Brooks told NotW staff worse revelations are on there way, and that was why they had to close down the paper, adding that “in a year you’ll understand why these decisions were taken”.
It has been reported that staff email and internet access has been limited, with staff reportedly saying they “don’t appreciate being treated like criminals”, telling her to her face she “should be sacrificing her own job” instead of “sacrificing hundreds of journalists for herself” – to which she is said to have replied “you may be angry with me – I understand… but I’m really angry with the people behind this, I feel betrayed”.
The other main development tonight is the Guardian’s revelations that police are investigating the suspected deletion of emails by a senior executive, contradicting claims from NI that they would be “co-operating fully with police”. As well as the deletions, the Guardian say NI have “infuriated police” by leaking sensitive information – despite telling them they would keep it confidential – and are at risk of prosecution for perverting the course of justice “by trying to hide the contents of a senior reporter’s desk” after he was arrested earlier this year.
Also today, there were further reports the News Corp/BSkyB takeover deal “could collapse” in the wake of the scandal, with institutional investors saying the prospect of a deal happening soon is “fading”; and on the campaign front, an appeal has been launched to fund a detailed poll of public opinion on Rupert Murdoch – you can donate to the campaign here.
From: http://www.leftfootforward.org/2011/07/news-of-the-world-phone-hacking-scandal-latest-developments-friday-july-8-2011/
As News of The World burns, Britain’s media feel the heat
As Britain’s most powerful Sunday newspaper crashes and burns, newsrooms across London are feeling the heat.
Media watchers and former journalists say the practices that felled the News of The World were common across the industry. With 200 tabloid journalists out of work, two people convicted, and one former editor-in-chief under arrest, those behind the headlines are wondering whether they’ll soon be in them.
“It’s a warning for Fleet Street,” public relations guru Max Clifford said Friday, using the nickname for the national newspaper industry. “A lot of journalists were up to similar things for many, many years.”
Clifford should know. As well as being one of the nation’s best-connected media operators, he was also among the tabloid phone hacking scandal’s most prominent victims. It was his generous settlement with the News of The World — reported to be 1 million pounds ($1.6 million) — that helped whet other lawyers’ appetites for suing the paper over the practice. That litigation turned up revelations so damaging they proved fatal.
Continued here: http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/1021677--as-news-of-the-world-burns-britain-s-media-feel-the-heat?bn=1
Media watchers and former journalists say the practices that felled the News of The World were common across the industry. With 200 tabloid journalists out of work, two people convicted, and one former editor-in-chief under arrest, those behind the headlines are wondering whether they’ll soon be in them.
“It’s a warning for Fleet Street,” public relations guru Max Clifford said Friday, using the nickname for the national newspaper industry. “A lot of journalists were up to similar things for many, many years.”
Clifford should know. As well as being one of the nation’s best-connected media operators, he was also among the tabloid phone hacking scandal’s most prominent victims. It was his generous settlement with the News of The World — reported to be 1 million pounds ($1.6 million) — that helped whet other lawyers’ appetites for suing the paper over the practice. That litigation turned up revelations so damaging they proved fatal.
Continued here: http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/1021677--as-news-of-the-world-burns-britain-s-media-feel-the-heat?bn=1
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)