tagged w/ news corp
-
Phone-hacking charges meet with sound of silence from News Corp
Dan Sabbagh guardian.co.uk,
Rebekah Brooks – one of those charged over phone hacking – was one of Rupert Murdoch's closest confidants.
Rupert Murdoch has said he was 'misinformed and shielded' from alleged phone hacking at the News of the World.
Silence, then a lawyer's statement of regret, was all that emerged from Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation after it emerged that two former editors, a managing editor, four senior reporters and private investigator Glenn Mulcaire faced 19 charges of conspiring to hack into phones.
For the past year, the media giant has increasingly acknowledged the gravity of the hacking crisis, starting with the closure of the News of the World – and recently deciding to spin off the Sun and the Times and its other newspapers to a separate company. The charging decisions now mean a high-profile courtroom airing of the phone-hacking story is inevitable.
It was possible that the CPS would choose not to lay charges, although Rebekah Brooks separately faces three obstruction of justice charges, while Andy Coulson has been charged with perjury by a Scottish court. A CPS decision to take no further action would have prompted a very different company reaction. But Alison Levitt QC, as the Crown Prosecution Service's principal legal adviser, concluded that prosecutions were required "in the public interest" – meaning the media group has to now endure the full exposure of trials: court cases in which all sorts of material could be aired, never mind witnesses demanded, in an adversarial environment.
READ MORE
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/jul/24/phone-hacking-charges-news-corporationPhone-hacking charges meet with sound of silence from News Corp
Dan Sabbagh... more
-
-
jonber
-
added this
-
10 months ago
- |
-
By Maria Puente, USA TODAY
Add Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie to the list of Rupert Murdoch's News Corp phone-hacking victims.
The British phone-hacking scandal, already toxic, escalated again today when authorities charged former top editors of Murdoch's British media empire of a campaign of illegal eavesdropping on hundreds of people, including Pitt and Jolie.
The Associated Press reported that British prosecutors are charging Andy Coulson and Rebekah Brooks – both are former editors of Murdoch's now-shuttered News of the World tabloid and Coulson is an ex-aide to Prime Minister David Cameron – with conspiring to intercept the communications of more than 600 people between Oct. 3, 2000, and Aug. 9, 2006. Also being charged are five other senior NOTW journalists.
Some are accused of intercepting the messages of actor Jude Law, associates of his ex-wife Sadie Frost and his former girlfriend, actress Sienna Miller. Some are accused of spying on former Beatle Paul McCartney, his ex-wife Heather Mills, and senior British politicians. And some are alleged to have eavesdropped on associates of Jolie and Pitt.
Brooks and Coulson and the others have promised to fight the charges.
READ MORE
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/entertainment/post/2012/07/murdochs-journos-eavesdropped-on-brad-and-angie-brits-say/1#.UA7n9ESTpLABy Maria Puente, USA TODAY
Add Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie to the list of Rupert... more
-
-
jonber
-
added this
-
10 months ago
- |
-
Eight people, including Rebekah Brooks and Andy Coulson, will face a total of 19 charges relating to phone hacking, the Crown Prosecution Service has said.
The two ex-News of the World editors are to be charged in connection with the accessing of murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler's phone messages.
They are among seven of the now-defunct paper's former staff facing charges of conspiring to intercept voicemails.
The CPS said the charges related to 600 alleged victims between 2000 and 2006.
WATCH VIDEO: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18961228Eight people, including Rebekah Brooks and Andy Coulson, will face a total of 19... more
-
-
jonber
-
added this
-
10 months ago
- |
-
The Guardian reports:
"Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation has confirmed it is considering splitting its publishing assets – including its scandal-hit UK newspapers – and film and TV businesses into two separately listed public companies.
The restructuring, confirmed on Tuesday following overnight reports in the Wall Street Journal and New York Times, would be the biggest corporate upheaval at News Corp since Murdoch founded the global media company more than 30 years ago."
Read More:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2012/jun/26/news-corp-considering-splitThe Guardian reports:
"Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation has confirmed it... more
-
-
jonber
-
added this
-
11 months ago
- |
-
“Allowing media power to be concentrated in the hands of a few multibillionaires will impoverish society,” says Alan Rusbridger, editor of The Guardian, who offers a seven-question test for whether a media organization is a potential menace to the public.
Rusbridger points out that the inquiry into the News of the World phone hacking scandal has so far produced no legislation limiting the concentration of media ownership in the U.K. Society’s primary means of understanding itself—the press—remains vulnerable to monopolies that have no interest in the public welfare.
Read More
http://www.truthdig.com/eartotheground/item/rupert_murdoch_fails_a_public_interest_quiz_20120624/?ln“Allowing media power to be concentrated in the hands of a few multibillionaires... more
-
-
jonber
-
added this
-
11 months ago
- |
-
AMAZING NEW DEVELOPMENT IN MURODCH'S FAMILY NIGHTMARE
From the Independent
"Scotland Yard detectives investigating phone hacking at the News of the World are examining the call records of four newly discovered Apple iPhones issued to senior executives at News International.
The smartphones, issued by O2 in a contract beginning in October 2009, included a handset given to James Murdoch, the former chairman and chief executive of News Corp Europe. Despite billing for the phones totalling nearly £12,000 between June last year and May this year, neither Operation Weeting nor the Leveson Inquiry was told of the existence of the smartphone accounts."
Read More:
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/police-study-james-murdochs-secret-iphone-account-7857331.htmlAMAZING NEW DEVELOPMENT IN MURODCH'S FAMILY NIGHTMARE
From the Independent... more
-
-
jonber
-
added this
-
11 months ago
- |
-
by Jon Ber
ARRESTED SUN
Its Rupert Murdoch's flair to dump, move, sell out, bury or pay for silence. Both properties and people.
But he'll be out of all UK media before long, or find himself in handcuffs when the rats start singing. And there are many rats around Murdoch's family micro-managed News Corp.
REBEKAH'S HAIR BITES DOG
Its the publishers bond of silence, fear of Rupert Murdoch or ignorance? Alas the news story of the century doesn't get the media coverage Murdoch notoriety earned, because evidently many editors couldn't recognize a man biting dog if it hit them in Rebekah's hair.
Never mind. The mind-boggling Leveson inquiry can be watched live on its
website and the Guardian's and the BBC's. The most fascinating live
theater I've ever seen. Thank you Rupert Murdoch. You really make me
sick. I love hating you
Erik Larson and Amy Thomson report for Bloomberg:
News Corp. (NWSA)’s bribery scandal in Britain led to four more arrests, including a journalist and a police superintendent, bringing to 35 the number of people accused of trading illegal payments for tabloid stories.
READ MORE:
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-06-14/news-corp-reporter-officers-arrested-in-u-k-bribery-probes.htmlby Jon Ber
ARRESTED SUN
Its Rupert Murdoch's flair to dump, move, sell out,... more
-
-
jonber
-
added this
-
11 months ago
- |
-
by Jon Ber
GUTTER PRESS QUEEN JUSTICE
Rupert Murdoch's "first priority" Rebekah Brooks current three criminal obstruction of justice indictments, are the beginning of the end of News Corp media business.
Because Brooks and the other 50 News Corp employees arrested so far, will also be charged with thousands of criminal hacking, police and government bribes, extortion and coverup, during a the decade she and Les Hinton ran Murdoch's UK operations.
ASK THE MURDOCHS
However Rupert Murdoch and his son James, who according to all testimonies micro-managed News Corp's, thus knew everything, have not yet been interrogated by Scotland Yard nor by the FBI.
The Murdochs remain above the Law until this very day.
AP REPORTS: Rebekah Brooks Makes Court Appearance, Bailed Over Phone Hacking
READ MORE
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/13/rebekah-brooks-court-bailed-phone-hacking_n_1592353.html?utm_hp_ref=mediaby Jon Ber
GUTTER PRESS QUEEN JUSTICE
Rupert Murdoch's "first... more
-
-
jonber
-
added this
-
11 months ago
- |
-
by Jon Ber
In the USA Rupert Murdoch have not yet lost his power to bully politicians. But in England, the party is literally over. Its been Canceled.
It's a wonderful news for those of us who believe that Murdoch is the most destructive force in the free world.
Murdoch's News Corp annual London "who is who" summer party, was canceled for the first time in years, due to the "hacking scandal" engulfing the 82-year-old beleaguered mogul. Time Walker reports in the Telegraph.
Evidently, Murdoch didn't want to test what everybody in Great Britain already knows: Within a year, the table has turn on the "mafia boss" and no politician would dare to show up in his VIP only show-off event.
"For prime ministers, leaders of the opposition and prominent media types, it was the party of the season, but Mandrake can disclose that Rupert Murdoch has called off his summer soirée." Walker writes.
“I can confirm that News Corporation is not holding a summer party in London this year,” a spokesman tells me. The decision could not be a more vivid illustration of how the media tycoon’s fortunes have turned during the past 12 months." Walker reports.
"Last summer’s party, which was held at the Orangery at Kensington Palace was attended by David and Samantha Cameron. " the Telegraph reports under the title: "Rupert Murdoch calls off News Corporation's annual summer party."
READ MORE:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/phone-hacking/9291167/Rupert-Murdoch-calls-off-News-Corporations-annual-summer-party.htmlby Jon Ber
In the USA Rupert Murdoch have not yet lost his power to bully... more
-
-
jonber
-
added this
-
12 months ago
- |
-
Watch live on the Leveson inquiry website on Monday starting 5am.
http://www.levesoninquiry.org.uk/hearings/
The BBC reports from London: "Former Prime Minister Tony Blair is to appear before the Leveson Inquiry into media standards on Monday.
Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt will give evidence on Thursday, the inquiry witness list shows.
He will be asked about his office's links with News Corp during its bid to take over satellite broadcaster BSkyB." according to the BBC.
Read more:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18203161Watch live on the Leveson inquiry website on Monday starting 5am.... more
-
-
jonber
-
added this
-
12 months ago
- |
-
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/jonber/murdoch-private-eye-hedge-fund_n_1546274_156976623.html
by Jon Ber
HE CRIMINALLY SPIED ON EVERYBODY.
MURDOCH'S GOOD NEWS
The good news is, that without the slightest of doubts, many more "other shoes" will drop, in the hacking scandal of "a single rogue reporter" as Rupert Murdoch's News Corp asserted for years, despite possessing overwhelming evidence to the contrary.
50 ARRESTS AND GOING STRONG
As police bribes, politicians extortion, hush payments and coverup are now being investigated by Great Britan's authorities, there will certainly be newly added charges against Murdoch's mercenaries with every passing day.
THE US BAD NEWS
The bad news is, that until now, nobody in the US is willing to question Rupert Murdoch and his son James, nor even Fox News, Wall Street Journal and New York Post employees, about their knowledge of the crimes at News Corp.
GOOD MORNING FBI
The law-lambs are still silent. Intimidated. Even though, the accusations against Murdoch's right-hand man and lifetime friend, Les Hinton and his resignation from the Wall street Journal/Dow Jones, should have by themselves be a cause for immediate FBI action.
Jeopardy answer: What is organize crime profiteering!
ANY GOP BRAVE MEN?
In this election year, Republican politicians who've watched Rupert Murdoch dragging their party and the USA in to his swamp, should speak now or forever hold their peace.
BY HOOK AND BY A CROOK
Because it's impossible that British politicians where the only victims of Murdoch's megalomania and determination to rule the world, no matter how.http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/jonber/murdoch-private-eye-hedge-fund_n_1546274_15... more
-
-
jonber
-
added this
-
12 months ago
- |
-
By Jon Ber
Some people will do anything for money. Alas the latest mind-boggling mangle in the hacking saga: Rupert Murdoch just purchased a new spin doctor, who chose to work for the drowning News Corp. boss, rather than the similarly in deep water, 10 Downing street current chargé d'affaires, David Cameron. The Telegraph's Richard Eden reports this morning.
It's a scary omen for the UK Prime Minister, who will soon face the Leveson inquiry, which he created in a desperate attempt to draw a line between himself and the Murdochs.
According to the Telegraph, London's mayor Boris Johnson's top lieutenant, Guto Harri, will be leaping to Murdoch's sickbed, after rejecting Cameron's repeated courting.
Harri's (a BBC former chief political correspondent) beggars belief decision, can't be dismissed as made due to his being out of touch with reality. Thus his choice of Murdoch over Cameron raises two obvious questions: A. How much money did it take to buy his soul? B. What does he know?
Good News for Faust, who's name was evoked few times at last week's Leveson inquiry hearings: he won't be alone in hell for much longer.
Read more
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/9277234/David-Cameron-or-Rupert-Murdoch...-theres-only-one-choice-for-Guto-Harri.htmlBy Jon Ber
Some people will do anything for money. Alas the latest mind-boggling... more
-
-
jonber
-
added this
-
12 months ago
- |
-
by Jon Ber
Yesterday's obstruction and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice indictment against Rebekah Brooks, her husband Charlie and four News Corp. employees, raises an obvious question: What is the damaging evidence they were so desperate to coverup?
Rupert Murdoch and his son James, might know the answer to that. Yet neither was interrogated by police anywhere. Until this very day.
If you, or I, were accused of bribing a single police officer or hacking one phone, we would have been arrested before we could wonder "When will the Murdochs, be questioned under oath, about the massive criminal allegations their employees are charged with?".
Never mind. One way or another, Murdoch's enemies, "old toffs and right wingers", as he recently described them on Tweeter, can gleefully expect much worse damage for the reputation of News Corp, from the biggest ever and still widening in scope, judicial, parliamentary and law enforcement probes in the UK, US and Australia .
For Rupert Murdoch's family-run News Corp., Rebekah Brooks indictment have not only crossed the line he has drawn in the public's send. It obliterated it.
LOL. And not David Cameron's interpretation.
Anyone who monitors Rupert Murdoch's gutter media campaigns of lies, hate, fear and war-mongering, (papers and Fox News) immediately notices the very same characteristic defensive-whining about injustice towards the slightest criticism.
Alas, I admit. For me, watching and hearing Rebekah and Charlie Brooks petulant squeals yesterday, after being notified of the impending criminal charges against them, was nothing but wonderful music.
"How does it feel...to be on your own?" I heard myself singing Bob Dylan's unforgettable hit.
How does it feel, Rupert Murdoch?by Jon Ber
Yesterday's obstruction and conspiracy to pervert the course of... more
-
-
jonber
-
added this
-
1 year ago
- |
-
will Brooks try to make a deal? This is an obvious question, but a good one all the same. She clearly knows stuff. She also has a young child at home (not hers—a surrogate, but still.) For that matter, will any of the other six people try to make a deal as well? Or instead? Will we see some version of Prisoner’s Dilemma here? It’s probably the case that no one knows as much as Brooks does. There are actually a number of police investigations currently going on—focusing on either the phone hacking exploits of the media (mostly, but not entirely, News Corp personnel), on email hacking, on unauthorized police leaks, on bribery of the police, and heaven knows what else. I suspect Brooks knows a fair amount about much of this. And if she does make a deal, will it be at the expense of Rupert and/or James? Hard to say. One of the interesting aspects of this whole affair is that so much was done without anyone actually telling anyone what to do. So there’s not much of a paper trail, and what there is has been disputed. Did James see the incriminating memo that his senior executives and lawyers said they showed him? He says no, they say yes, but there’s no hard evidence one way or the other. A lot of this is on that level. But if Brooks starts feeling pressure to make a deal, I imagine all hell will break loose.will Brooks try to make a deal? This is an obvious question, but a good one all the... more
-
-
By Jon Ber
After the UK parliamentary select committee ruling last week, that Rupert Murdoch is "not a fit person" to lead a major international company, he pulled the only trick he could think of: called his robber stamp News Corp board members, demanding and receiving their swift unconditional support.
For $200,000 a year and fear of the 81-year-old well known belligerent vengeance, I would have most probably done the same.
Evidently, Murdoch's ego and temper, hampers his capability of comprehending the hopelessness of his predicament and the only obvious possible relief: Immediate retirement.
Instead Murdoch has been throwing everybody around him under the bus: His properties, employees, attorneys and even childhood friends.
Burying the evidence and shame by closing The News Of The World because "I panicked" did nothing to stop Murdoch's prolonging nightmare. Nor did the resignations of his right and left hands Les Hinton and Rebekah Brooks.
Then Murdoch tried to "cooperate" with the police by carrying his own probe into his UK newspapers, resulting in more arrest, hysteria and threats of employees suicide at the Sun.
Even the previously unthinkable removal of Murdoch's designated heir, his son James, from News International and BskyB, did absolutely nothing to halt his mounting troubles.
This week, the US senate Commerce, Science and Transportation committee, was the latest official body, to get involved in what is already the biggest scandal and most comprehensive, judicial, parliamentary and law enforcement probes in the history of planet Earth.
And inevitably, for Murdoch, much worse is yet to come.
But Rupert Murdoch remains defiant.
His tweets blame "old toffs and right wingers", which is as "fair and balance" reality as is the truthfulness of his Fox News reporting.By Jon Ber
After the UK parliamentary select committee ruling last week, that... more
-
-
jonber
-
added this
-
1 year ago
- |
-
by Jon Ber
Shocking as it may be for News Corp and the public - Rupert Murdoch's "unfit" description by the UK parliamentary select committee - is only a drop in the bucket of bad news bound to overflow, for the "fair and balanced" Fox News owner.
Sub judice (under the court) prohibition, tied the committee's hands from discussing various aspects of the allegations, including the role of any of the already arrested 46 stars of the "Hacking Bribing and Coverup" drama, such as Murdoch's "first priority" Rebekah Brooks.
Sit tight. The best chapters of the biggest global scandal in modern times, are now being written by hundreds of police and law enforcement officers, in the various criminal and judicial probes, currently taking place around the globe.
And thousands of journalists, who've helplessly watched the stupefaction of their profession by Rupert Murdoch's media shenanigans, are ecstatic by the opportunity to report everything.
Indeed, Rupert Murdoch is still the biggest bully-elephant in the GOP room.
But he no longer scares anybody else. Its all coming out. I promise.by Jon Ber
Shocking as it may be for News Corp and the public - Rupert... more
-
-
jonber
-
added this
-
1 year ago
- |
-
You Gotta Love Those Brits...it’s quite impressive to see a group of lawmakers stand up to Rupert Murdoch and call him what he is: a liar who is more concerned with protecting his empire than doing what’s right.
http://veracitystew.com/?p=34767You Gotta Love Those Brits...it’s quite impressive to see a group of lawmakers... more
-
-
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-17898029
Rupert Murdoch "is not a fit person to exercise the stewardship of a major international company", MPs have said.
The culture committee questioned journalists and bosses at the now-closed News of the World, as well as police and lawyers for hacking victims.
Its report has concluded that Mr Murdoch exhibited "wilful blindness" to what was going on in News Corporation.
But the committee was split six to four with Tory members refusing to endorse the report and branding it "partisan".
Conservative Louise Mensch called it "a real great shame" that the report's credibility had potentially been "damaged" as a result, with the report carried by Labour and Lib Dem members backing it.
News Corp said in a statement it was "carefully reviewing" the report and would "respond shortly", adding: "The company fully acknowledges significant wrongdoing at News of the World and apologises to everyone whose privacy was invaded."
'A blind eye'
The BBC News Channel's chief political correspondent Norman Smith said the report was much more damning than had been anticipated.
He said the "crunch" statement was that Rupert Murdoch was "not a fit person", adding: "This is a blow to the very heart of the Murdoch empire. They are questioning his integrity, his honesty."
The committee of MPs began its inquiry in July 2011 in the wake of fresh revelations about the extent of hacking at the tabloid newspaper, with reported victims including the murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler and the families of victims of the 7/7 London bombings.
It heard evidence from Mr Murdoch and his son James, and has now concluded that the notion that a hands-on proprietor like Rupert Murdoch had "no inkling" that wrongdoing was widespread at the News of the World was "simply not credible".
It noted that the newspaper mogul had "excellent powers of recall and grasp of detail when it suited him", and added: "On the basis of the facts and evidence before the committee, we conclude that, if at all relevant times Rupert Murdoch did not take steps to become fully informed about phone hacking, he turned a blind eye and exhibited wilful blindness to what was going on in his companies and publications."
Tory MPs objected specifically to the line branding Mr Murdoch "not fit", with one, Philip Davies, telling a press conference the committee had seen "absolutely no evidence" to endorse such a "completely ludicrous" conclusion.
But Labour MP Tom Watson said "more than any individual alive", Mr Murdoch was to blame for phone hacking, and it was right to "raise the bar" of the report and make that clear.
The committee also criticised three former News International executives - one-time executive chairman Les Hinton, former News of the World editor Colin Myler and former legal manager Tom Crone.
Mr Myler and Mr Crone misled the committee over their knowledge that other staff were involved in phone hacking, the MPs said.
News Corp as a whole was guilty of "huge failings of corporate governance" and, throughout, its instinct had been "to cover up rather than seek out wrongdoing and discipline the perpetrators", the committee said.
Foam attack
And it concluded: "Corporately, the News of the World and News International misled the committee about the true nature and extent of the internal investigations they professed to have carried out in relation to phone hacking; by making statements they would have known were not fully truthful; and by failing to disclose documents which would have helped expose the truth."
The committee raised the possibility of a vote in the House of Commons about whether witnesses had been in contempt of Parliament, and if so, what punishment should be imposed.
It said it would table a motion inviting the House to endorse its conclusions.
James Murdoch told the committee last summer that he did not see an email which suggested that hacking was more widespread at the paper than previously acknowledged - a claim disputed by Mr Myler and Mr Crone in their evidence.
On that matter, the report concluded that James Murdoch was "consistent" in relation to the so-called "For Neville" email, but he had demonstrated "wilful ignorance" about what had been going on, which "clearly raises questions of competence" on his part.
James Murdoch has insisted he did not know about any wrongdoing at the News of the World, but took "his share" of responsibility for not uncovering it earlier.
He gave evidence alongside his father Rupert, who at one point during the hearing was attacked by a man who rushed forward from the public gallery and threw a paper plate of foam at him.
'Shielded'
The committee also said former News of the World editor Rebekah Brooks must "accept responsibility" for presiding over a culture at the News of the World that led to journalists impersonating members of Milly Dowler's family and hacking the teenager's phone.
James and Rupert Murdoch James and Rupert Murdoch appeared before the media committee last July
And it criticised Director of Public Prosecutions Keir Starmer and former Acting Deputy Commissioner at the Metropolitan Police John Yates for failing to ensure hacking claims were properly investigated.
After initially claiming that malpractice was limited to one "rogue" reporter at the News of the World, News International has now settled dozens of civil cases admitting liability for hacking between 2001 and 2006.
More than 6,000 possible victims have been identified and the police have so far made a number of arrests in connection with an investigation reopened in January 2011 - although no charges have yet been brought.
Media regulator Ofcom is currently looking into that issue, and reacting to the report, a spokesman said: "Ofcom has a duty under the Broadcasting Acts 1990 and 1996 to be satisfied that any person holding a broadcasting licence is, and remains, fit and proper to do so.
Louise Mensch said the MPs' phone-hacking report would lose credibility for its line over Rupert Murdoch
"Ofcom is continuing to assess the evidence - including the new and emerging evidence - that may assist it in discharging these duties."
David Cameron's official spokesman said the government would consider the report's findings.
Asked whether the prime minister regarded Rupert Murdoch as a fit person to run a media company, he said: "That is a matter for the regulatory authorities, not for the government."
The hacking revelations led to the closure of the News of the World and the government's decision to set up a judicial inquiry into press standards headed by Lord Leveson.
Appearing before the Leveson Inquiry last week, Rupert Murdoch said there had been a "cover-up" which "shielded" senior figures at the paper and its parent company - including himself and his son James - from knowledge of wrongdoing taking place.http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-17898029
Rupert Murdoch "is not a fit... more
-
-
Rupert Murdoch's world is crashing down around him...and the rest of us couldn't be happier watching him squirm... (watch Jon Stewart's take on 'RupertGate')...
http://veracitystew.com/?p=34541Rupert Murdoch's world is crashing down around him...and the rest of us... more
-
-
(Reuters) - Pressure is building in Britain and Australia for fresh probes into Rupert Murdoch's News Corp, already under siege over phone-hacking claims, after allegations that it ran a secret unit that promoted pirating of pay-TV rivals.
The Australian Financial Review on Wednesday alleged that News Corp had used a special unit, Operational Security, set up in the mid-1990s, to sabotage its competitors, reinforcing claims in a BBC Panorama documentary aired earlier this week.
"These are serious allegations, and any allegations of criminal activity should be referred to the AFP (Australian Federal police) for investigation," a spokeswoman for Australian Communications Minister Stephen Conroy told Reuters.
Operational Security was a unit of News Corp's secure-encryption subsidiary NDS, which has denied any wrongdoing in relation to the Panorama claims.
News Corp, which this month sold NDS to Cisco Systems for $5 billion, said it accepted those assurances.
Its Australian arm, News Limited, denied the claims in the Australian Financial Review.
"The story is full of factual inaccuracies, flawed references, fanciful conclusions and baseless accusations which have been disproved in overseas courts," News Limited said.
NDS has faced several lawsuits over alleged piracy: one was dropped and the firm was largely cleared in the others, which News Limited highlighted in its statement.
NDS's Operational Security unit, staffed by former police and intelligence officers, used hackers to crack the codes of smartcards issued to customers of rival pay-TV services. The hackers then sold black-market smartcards using those codes to give viewers free access to those services, the Review said.
This cost News Corp's rivals millions of dollars, it added.
The Operational Security unit had originally been set up to hunt pirates targeting Murdoch's own operations but later turned into a dirty-tricks campaign to undermine competitors, it said.
The BBC Panorama documentary broadcast on Monday alleged that NDS hired a consultant to post the encryption codes of ITV Digital, a rival of Murdoch's then Sky TV, on his website.
Widespread piracy after the online publication of the codes contributed to the 2002 collapse of ITV Digital, which had been set up by the parties that later formed ITV, Britain's leading free-to-air commercial broadcaster, in 1998.
Australian police said they received a referral from UK police against the company in July last year, but declined to comment on whether that had to do with phone hacking or TV piracy claims.
"The AFP is assisting the UK police with their inquiries," an AFP spokeswoman said.
SABOTAGE CLAIMS
UK regulator Ofcom is already investigating News Corp and a senior executive, James Murdoch, youngest son of Rupert, in the light of new evidence emerging from probes into phone and computer hacking and bribery at the News of the World tabloid, which News Corp shut down last July.
"These allegations, if true, are the most serious yet and I am referring the matter to Ofcom, who have a duty to investigate as part of their fit and proper test," lawmaker Tom Watson said of the claims made in the BBC's Panorama program.
"If what Panorama says is true, it suggests a global conspiracy to undermine a great British company, ITV Digital," the member of parliament told Reuters on Tuesday.
An Ofcom spokesman declined to comment on the specific allegations but said the regulator would consider "all relevant evidence" as part of its duty to be satisfied that the owner of the license was fit and proper.
James Murdoch has also served as an NDS director.
NDS said in a statement: "It is wrong to claim that NDS has ever been in the possession of any codes for the purpose of promoting hacking or piracy."
News Corp said: "NDS has consistently denied any wrongdoing to Panorama and we fully accept their assurances."
The Australian Financial Review, citing a four-year investigation and a trove of internal NDS emails, said the piracy undermined the value of competitors like DirecTV in the United States and Telepiu in Italy, and helped News Corp to take them over cheaply.
"NDS sabotaged business rivals, fabricated legal actions and obtained telephone records illegally," said the newspaper, which is owned by Fairfax Media, a rival of News Corp in Australia.
A spokesman for News Limited, the Australian arm of News Corp, was not immediately available for comment on the newspaper's claims.
News Corp owns 25 percent of Australia's top pay-TV firm, Foxtel, which is looking to take over rival Austar. Austar declined to comment on the report.
Foxtel said NDS was one of many service suppliers it had used, and the pay-TV company had worked hard to combat piracy. "Foxtel notes that there are no allegations of wrongdoing by Foxtel," a spokesman said in a statement emailed to Reuters.
British lawmaker Watson is known for his dogged questioning of James and Rupert Murdoch on their role in the phone-hacking affair, notoriously comparing James to a Mafia boss when he appeared at a parliamentary hearing on the hacking.
The committee has been due since early this year to present a report based on its investigations, which is expected to be critical of James Murdoch and may determine whether he has a future in Britain.
Watson said the report was now unlikely to be published before the Easter holiday on April 8. He said the new revelations were unlikely to affect the committee's work, since they were not part of its remit.
"There's no suggestion anywhere that Sky or News Corp knew what NDS was doing," broadcaster and media consultant Steve Hewlett told Reuters. "But if it all turns out to be true, then you have a News Corp company once again behaving in ways that are less than proper," he said.(Reuters) - Pressure is building in Britain and Australia for fresh probes into Rupert... more
-
